This week we all have a wish, that it was Christmas every day. Ok I’m exaggerating but after watching Wishmas at The Old Bauble Factory, hidden away below Waterloo Railway Station, I’m definitely feeling more festive. A 75-minute immersive experience you get to meet enthusiastic elves, chirpy puppet robins, make baubles and meet Father Christmas himself. It all begins in a vividly designed and brightly coloured room bursting with Christmassy bits and bobs. We meet our first pointy eared elf cum wishkeeper who introduces us to the idea that our wishes are being transported all over the world by magical baubles. The children, initially interested but with their attention now waning, have their eyes on the sign saying “This way to the train.”
Then the immersive experience really takes off. We board a make-believe underground carriage that to the delight and wonder of old and young alike, feels as though we are moving and then flying above the streets of London. Our elf guide, knowing he’s drawn the best bit of the show, is brimming with excitement and energy though in truth he doesn’t need to do much because by now the kids are bewitched by the technological wizardry. This is what makes the show such a thrill for the young ‘uns – the elves do all they can to excite and enthuse them – but their eyes and ears are focused on the sights and sounds. We wing our way from the train to the clock room, spin cogs to our hearts content, press colourful buttons in a mapparium, and finally we emerge into the home of Mr Claus. Without any todo or fanfare, he appears in a pristine Santa outfit, speaking with a Shakespearean voice and proclaiming about all manner of things.
The beauty and strength of Wishmas lies in its magical and mesmerising visuals. Elf hats off to Secret Cinema, creative director Elgin’s Field, designer Julie Landau and lighting designer Tim Mitchell. Fairy lights aplenty, snow, colourful birdhouses and a Christmas scent too. By the time we reach the bauble making workshop, we are all up for the challenge and I emerge on to the grubby streets of Waterloo glowing with pride at the creation of my two pretty baubles. I wished and I think you should too…the bauble factory awaits you.
I wish that you see Jack and the Beanstalk (Theatre Royal Stratford East). Whatever you do in the lead up to Christmas, don’t miss this crazy, wild and juicy action-packed panto. From the first leap onto the stage the characters captivate not only with super-fun action but in costume, song, hilarity, original music and a stage setup that is so crisp, colourful and witty. It’s a cross between a magical never-never land and the grime of an apocryphal Splatford where Jack lives with his bestie, the gifted wordsmith Winnie The Moo and his outlandish mum, Milky Linda. Watch out for the vibrant beanstalk!
Under the threatening presence of both Belch the Giant booming “Fe Fi Fo Fum I smell the blood of a Splatfordian” and glowering bovver boy Flesh Creep, the children in the audience are wide-eyed and quaking! But are the baddies irredeemably wicked? Spoiler alert – the joyous finale had the audience leaping to their feet with a standing ovation.The threads of a traditional pantomime are there – audience participation, local in-jokes, general mayhem – but this production leaps further into a series of creative twists delivered with gusto and verve by the amazing cast, supported by a brilliant production, directed by Denzel Westley-Sanderson.
Pretty Woman (New Victoria Theatre, Woking), based on the 1990 movie of the same name is a trip down memory lane. Following the story of a sex worker and a rich businessman who offers her bundles of cash to be his “companion” for a week. Not very #MeToo but actually it is an enjoyable Rom-Com. Oliver Savile (Edward) and Amber Davies (Vivian) are a very likeable couple, as is their chemistry on stage, though it’s fair to say, and I am of a certain age, that they didn’t have the fizz of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It is a production that takes time to warm up and not helped by the music and lyrics which do well in creating the atmosphere, but not songs that you will remember or sing along to.
The standout performance comes from Natalie Paris who has a terrific voice and brings charisma and panache to the role of Kit, Vivian’s roommate. She is destined for bigger and better things. Ore Oduba, who I was reliably informed by my companion, starred in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing (sorry never seen it), also puts in a good shift with an abundance of charm and stage presence. He will no doubt ensure bums on seats. All in all, a nice feel-good production but I have to admit that I left wishing for more.
“I’m 36, I’m a comedian, and I’m about to kill my boyfriend” – this is just one of the many awkward confessions that the unnamed protagonist of Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen (Bush Theatre) unloads on his audience in the 60-plus-change minute runtime. It’s an interesting concept – a monologue, disguised as a standup routine. And Samuel Barnett has certainly got the patter down – a faux-familiar inwardly cringing tone, that paired with his skinny jeans, converse and out-of-date haircut make him the spitting image of a millennial comedian.
Playwright Marcelo Dos Santos paints a vivid picture, if not a scathing critique of the stand-up comedian as a personality type: someone who emotively shares moving stories that patently never happened, and if tragedy does strike for real, they strip-mine their own grief for success; someone who is compelled to seek approval in the laughter of others, and yet has obvious contempt for the audiences laughing at their lowest-common-denominator algorithm-optimised observations. If I had a criticism, it’s that it doesn’t go nearly hard enough with the venom. Stand-up comedy remains a sacred cow in the UK – It’s also the country that enabled Russell Brand and presumably countless others to get away with treating people and their tragedies (as this play smartly notes) like material: why pull any punches?
Back in 1974, ABBA won Eurovision. Even as a child I loved their music so Thank You For The Music (Adelphi Theatre), a super tribute act, was a treat. The audience was full of dancing queens and Kellie Vallance (Frida), Emma Parker (Agnetha), Steve Nelson (Benny/MD) and Dave Miles (Bjorn) do a fantastic job in making us thank them for the music they created, making the group one of the bestselling music artists in history. With hit after hit, the show is a winner from beginning to end. Where to begin – Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and they saved my favourite for the encore, Waterloo! We were having so much fun that even when Benny’s big platform shoe flew off (the wig was pretty unforgettable too!), we didn’t notice – it didn’t hit anyone thankfully. The audience participation was inevitable and even with my discordant tone to put off those close by, they cared little such was the quality of entertainment. I so wish I could sing, in tune!
Wishmas – www.wishmas.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk – www.stratfordeast.com
Pretty Woman – www.atgtickets.com
Feeling Afraid’ – www.bushtheatre.co.uk
Thank You for the Music – on tour – www.entertainers.co.uk
