[Fringe Review] Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical
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One of the most important things for any Fringe show is to have a name that grabs the casual browser, sums up the play, and drags them into the theatre - and Debbie Does Dallas The Musical certainly does that. Based on the plot of one of the seminal porn movies from teh seventies, the plot that held that movie also holds this piece together as well, but in a style that’s more Carry On / Seaside Bawdy humour than in out and out flesh. This year’s Fringe is gearing up to have a lot of male tackle out, but the only tackle here is with the American Football jocks.
The plot - Debbie Benson has a scholarship offer in Dallas (and a job offer to be a Dallas Cowgirl cheerleader), but needs $475 and 25 cents to get there. So she, and her friends, pick up some typical jobs for high school girls to earn the cash - but soon discover their bodies have more potential than their C.V’s.
To be honest, lifting the plot out of the context of the film and placing it in a theatre makes it a touch creepy, especially as the lead character is ‘convinced’ to sell her virginity for $10,000. In this day and age, the casual acceptance of all parties to this just left me feeling a little bit off kilter. And the final two songs see a massive change in attitudes in the characters motivations and goals with no reason at all why - the plotting redhead cheerleader suddenly decides it would be a good idea to help Debbie? Everyone is cool with everyone else? All is well in the world?
It’s a spirited production, with a great title and an obvious visual appeal, but in the end I was left hoping for something more challenging and appropriate to this day and age.
