Review of ‘The Christmas Thing’: “A fine kind of show, but still not one-of-a-kind”

The Seven Dials Playhouse turns its stage into a television studio with the arrival of this comedy piece taking the absurd into a whole different dimension. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if its holiday folly ends up taking their audiences for a sleigh ride.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go… L-I-T-E… This is taking forever to type – literally (do the work yourself). The streets get filled with joy, as well as tourists who walk as if they learned how to yesterday. And as Londoners cope with the charm of the overcrowded areas (and their distress rises so high, they’re on the verge of saying something), a little theatre brings some additional sparkle to the scene with a slight twist on the seasonal concept.

Picture a holiday TV special (it’s not that difficult – they’re like PC warriors: annoying and everywhere). Then, imagine two handsome hosts, delightful guests, and a bottomless (pity) list of hilarious gags and entertaining acts. Now, think of exactly the opposite – and there you have it! Relax! I’m just kidding, of course. Or am I…? In all honesty, I am – this is, fairly, quite an amusing piece.

Welcome to The Christmas Thing, a show with more imaginativeness than its title, and twice as funny. Set in a television studio, the montage takes us into the recording of a programme, as cameras start to roll and capture everything (and I mean, EVERYTHING) that’s about to take place. Lights dim, intro music fades in… And the first victim is brought onto the stage! Yes, honey buns, you’d better watch out – if audience participation is not your thing… you’ll come anyway because you love doing as you’re told… Sorry – I was dealing with my daddy as I wrote that last line, and I don’t know what… got into me…

From turning random viewers into cameramen to setting interviews with others, and taking the privileged chosen one as their revered special guest, accompanied by a beautiful montage depicting his exciting life (guess which one I was – yeah, screw you too!), the production manages to keep its rhythm in constant motion all throughout – putting together a decent collection of rather enjoyable numbers, supported and considerably enhanced by the infectious energy and strong showmanship performers Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser continuously exude.

Nonetheless, one can’t help but feel that the piece has not explored its full potential yet. Though generally pleasing, there’s an overall vibe of absence hovering over every rendition. The jokes land, but they are not as sharp and witty as they could be. And even though the approach is of a droll, bonkers comedy, there’s still a lot of underused possibilities that could lead to a much edgier, and subsequently, memorable piece.

Gifted with whimisicality and regaling its visitors with an easy, trouble-free jaunt, The Christmas Thing adds a chucklesome claus to this year’s listing, but still requires a few more levels of polishing before cracking the Krumpus out of us. A slightly more robust sense of originality, combined with some additional touches of extremeness in their own style, are the missing tools needed to make of this seasonal treat and everlasting one – and turn the ho-ho-hoes (just respecting grammatical rules here…) into louder ha-ha-has.

All pictures credit to Nia Visser.

The Christmas Thing plays at London’s Seven Dials Playhouse until 21 December. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara