Robert Lindsay’s performance at the Savoy Theatre had me googling him on my phone during the interval to check out his age. What I discovered made me even more impressed by his consummate performance as lovable trickster Lawrence Jameson in David Yazbek’s adaptation of the famous 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Lindsay is both funny and suave opposite Rufus Hound’s more histrionic portrayal of rival conman Freddy Benson – the pair are in competition duping glamorous tourists on the French Riviera out of their spare cash. Katharine Kingsley as their principal prey charismatically sings and dances circles around the duo.

This stage show is infinitely more sophisticated and satisfying than the very dated film. The songs are catchy enough to be memorable although I’d never heard any of them before. The dance routines are sassy and dizzily complex. The dialogue and libretto are very witty and 21st century. The set design does wonders with the limited space and is very much in tune with the Savoy’s wonderful deco interior.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a proper musical, combining traditional razzamatazz with a contemporary sensibility and makes for a very entertaining night out.

Continues until 29 November 2014, buy tickets here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Chris Kenny.