Dickens Unplugged - TNT

Co-founder of the Reduced Shakespeare Company Adam Long had a massive hit with The Complete Works Of Shakespeare (Abridged), which began in Edinburgh 1987 and finally ended a nine-year West End run in 2005.
His new musical comedy subjects the substantial oeuvre of "Charlie" Dickens to similar treatment, but proves a very hit and miss affair. The emphasis is on the more familiar works, with The Old Curiosity Shop succinctly dismissed in under a minute and Martin Chuzzlewit barely meriting a mention.
Five American-accented blokes play all the parts (and the musical instruments too) and although Simon Jermond proves effective portraying David Copperfield's rejected, ringletted Agnes, the Christmas Carol is short on ingenuity and, for a potted résumé, tediously over-extended.
Comedy Theatre, Panton St, SW1 (0870-060 6637). Until June 29. £16-£46