Beach Blanket Babylon, the world's longest running musical revue, will be the first American production presented at the BOC (British Oxygen Company) Covent Garden Festival of Opera and Musical Theatre in London, May 27 through June 7.

Originally the show was created as a parody of 1960's style beach movies, i.e., Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in Beach Party and Beach Blanket Bingo. Beach Blanket Babylon is in its 23rd year of performances at Club Fugazi in San Francisco, CA.

For the festival performances in England, Beach Blanket Babylon will include veteran Beach Blanket Babylon performers Val Diamond and Renee Lubin. The show features some of the current satirical acts from Club Fugazi, i.e., spoofs of Snow White, Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Royal Family, Madonna, Elvis and King Louis XIV.

Part of Beach Blanket Babylon's fame revolves around the huge, outlandish hats, including a 12-foot headdress of the San Francisco skyline. For the Festival, Beach Blanket Babylon has created a new hat in the shape of London' skyline.

Part of the Beach Blanket Babylon cast will travel to England for the festival, while the rest will remain in San Francisco, performing at Club Fugazi. Those remaining in the US will be adding new acts to the show, including a singing parody of Martha Stewart. For tickets or more information regarding the San Francisco production: (415) 421-4222 . For more information regarding the London production: 011-44-171-312-1992.

--By Honey Frelich