Derriere on a G String
Derriere on a G String is described as a mash up of Matthew Bourne-esque choreography and the absurd comedy of Mr Bean. Add in the surprising use of music from the classical genre and you have a perfect summary of this zany night at the Kings Head Theatre.
As Alfred Taylor-Gaunt (director/choreographer) notes in the programme, not everyone would willingly spend money to see a show entirely comprising dance, especially when the dance style is mostly ballet. The hook of this show is that it’s a sketch show, combining the excellent dance skills of the cast with hilarious and relatable situations that have us laughing from beginning to end.
It's fair to say that there is a lot of flesh on show throughout the performance, with the G String from the title being prominent (pun intended) throughout. Not a word is spoken, and yet with facial expressions, interaction with the audience and a sort of inferred language using pitch and sound patterns, we know exactly what is being said. Speaking of interaction, even a scene change becomes an opportunity for Alice O’Brien (Slosh) to flirt shamelessly with one poor unsuspecting audience member – every single time with increasing embarrassment from said audience member and corresponding delight from the rest of us!
We can imagine ourselves in many of the everyday scenarios: wrestling with the duvet cover; waiting at a bus stop with relative strangers; playing a game of footy; trying to locate your passport in your pockets while at the airport; having a – let’s just say – vivid dream! This is where the Mr Bean reference comes in: each scene is exaggerated through dance, with perfect comic timing and effect. On paper it shouldn’t work, but it does. One of the most notable moments for me involves what can only be described as ‘vape-ography’! Each musical beat is hit to perfection and each cast member has their moment in the spotlight.
In another setting, an evening with the likes of Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Grieg might seem heavy. This is part of the beautifully subversive nature of the show: for those who might consider both classical music and ballet inaccessible, stuffy or elitist, come and spend 80 minutes at the Kings Head Theatre and you’ll have your mind changed. Quite simply this is G-reat dance comedy!
This show was reviewed on the 12th of May 2026 at the Kings Head Theatre, London where it runs until the 7th June 2026. Tickets available here : Derrière on a G String — By Some Smith & Moore | King's Head Theatre
Review written by Ian Worsfold
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Photo credit: Charlie Flint Photography
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