Review: Postcard from the Pier at The Queen’s Hotel

The bygone era of end-of-pier variety shows and Donald McGill’s saucy seaside postcards are brought to vivid life in a duo of entertaining plays in the gardens of The Queen’s Hotel Southsea.

Co-produced by New Apollo Theatre Co. and Cop the Needle, written by Stuart Olesker and John Stanton, and directed by Steve Pitt, Postcard from the Pier perfectly captures the backstage atmosphere of 1950s variety shows.

Memorable characters include Christopher Marlowe’s opera singer Mario Valentine, with an hilarious rendition of Elvis’ Hound Dog, and dancing troupe The Tapettes, played for laughs by Jennifer Perry and Julie Faye.

The second play, McGill, cleverly weaves music, comedy, and even classical Shakespeare into the story of Donald McGill, king of the saucy postcards and double entendres.

Ably compèred by James Kirby, bawdy vicars, gossiping housewives, and slapstick duo Norfolk & Good — performed by Patrick Howe and Peter McCrohon — all compete onstage to find the ‘comical in the anatomical’.

Postcard from the Pier is the perfect summer show, which serves up equal amounts of innuendo, humour, and good old-fashioned charm.

Doors open for tonight’s performance at 7:00pm, and tickets are £10.00 in advance or £12.00 on the door. Book yours by calling the box office on 02392 736 288.