George in the Dragons Den is an odd mix of child and adult humour; a two hander, it markets itself as a topical tour de force where pantomime meets Monty Python, however despite an energetic attempt, it never really manages to convince in either department. In essence, Las Productions have re-invented the story of St. George and the dragon as a business like pitch, in part mirroring the BBCs successful show Dragons Den. However, instead of having to trade blows with Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meaden and Duncan Bannatyne, George is up against a real dragon, who is more interested in multiplying food than money. To be fair to the performers they do commit themselves whole heartedly to the physical comedy I was slightly perplexed at first when, as one of an audience of just two, a workman dressed in a boiler suit walked through the door onto the side of the stage and started pointing at me as if there was something amiss. In fact, I was almost on the point of going over to him and explaining that there was a performance taking place when, much to my amusement, I realised that he was actually our reluctant hero, George. However, despite moments such as these there is an undenying feeling that this piece has been written for the wrong audience. Clearly, George in the Dragons Den is a childrens show and both the slapstick nature of it, along with the amusing rhymes (much of the text is written in verse) is likely to prompt laughter from the under 10s, however the decision to make the background of Dragons Den so prevalent is baffling. Yes, it might register with some of the adults accompanying their children and it is, in a sense, a clever idea for a re-invention of the story, but one that would be more suited to a satirical sketch rather than an hour long childrens show. I like the invention behind their presentation, but unfortunately they are pitching the wrong material to the wrong people, and as a result Im out!
