‘ROBINSON CRUSOE’

The British have a theatrical custom called panto, a very bawdy olde tyme music hall confection that takes a popular story and spices it up. Theater Exchange’s “Robinson Crusoe” is reportedly L.A.’s first professionally staged panto.

There may not be another one for some time unless the Brits in the Valley turn out en masse for this one. You’ve perhaps heard the cautionary line of criticism that “less is more.” Never could that advice be better applied than here.

Director B.J. Turner, who doubles as Chrissie Crusoe (and is terrific in drag), has a nifty show going for the first 20 minutes or so. It’s charming. What a surprise. Then the premonition sets in that the show has peaked already. Next events get louder and sillier. Intermission becomes a real break.

In the second act, the ship is flying apart, actors are running faster, talking faster, the untold costume changes on Turner are maddening. The room begins to spin, as if you’ve just gorged on a two-ton frosted wedding cake.

But the laugh count has dropped drastically. That’s because neither writers Gary Schultz and Turner (who re-wrote John Morley’s story for the American stage) nor choreographer Stan Mazin, nor the four producers, nor anyone, had enough wit to pace the show, to drastically cut the fat (all the topical American political stuff should be axed) and the bilge.

There’s a cute show here somewhere. It’s just not being done.

Performances at 11855 Hart St., North Hollywood, Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m., through March 8; (818) 981-6082 or (213) 652-7883.