THE INFORMATION ON: `Forbidden Broadway'

What Is It?

Phillip George's polished staging of Gerard Alessandrini's parody of the song and dance business which includes merciless send-ups of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Liza Minnelli and the cast of Cats ("I really hate this show but God I need the dough..."). The show has been regularly updated since its New York debut in 1982.

Who's In It?

A high-energy cast of four juggle costumes and wigs to storm their way through the cabaret-style

revue. Most notably, Sophie-Louise Dann has Julie Andrews off to a tee while Christine Pedi brings the house down with her nutty Liza Minnelli.

What They Say About It

"The whirlwind tour is a must for love-haters of the genre," Maeve Walsh, The Independent on Sunday.

"Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but it's also the best for making egos wither on the spot," Caroline Sullivan, The Guardian.

"It lampoons the whole hammy song `n' dance business with refreshing wit and savoir faire... The jokes are hit-and-miss and decidedly in-house, not for anyone who hasn't doggedly done the rounds of musical theatre as punter or artist," Kate Bassett, The Daily Telegraph.

"It is huge fun when the revolutionaries of Les Mis dourly compete with a revolving stage, or the cast speculate about the psychological reasons for the endless, irrelevant mentions of Marilyn Monroe in Blood Brothers," Benedict Nightingale, The Times.

Where You Can See It

Forbidden Broadway is at the Albery Theatre, London WC2 (0171-369 1730) to 4 Sept.