The Wardrobe Theatre’s Christmas show has fast become as integral to the festive season as unwanted Secret Santas, disrupted train travel and advocaat-induced bad breath. However, unlike these other festive stalwarts, the Wardrobe Theatre shows always offer up a sparkling treat. The fact that the current show, Notting Hell, is practically sold out for the entirety of its run is a sign of how well-loved an institution they now are.
While the Christmas shows usually offer up a mash-up of two different films – The Muppets with Die Hard, for instance, or Little Women with Men in Black – this year’s is slightly different. Notting Hill is the obvious starting point, but rather than pair it with another film, it is morphed into a tale of devilry and soul-selling.
Tom England is our Hugh Grant figure, the “public school twit”, foppish and sentimental Julian whose bookshop specialising in romantic fiction is going under. He’s desperate to find love, yet has “never been kissed” and wails that “oh bugger will I ever find another?” Things look hopeless, that is until globe-straddling pop star Lexi Chase (Stephanie Houtman) unexpectedly walks through his door. A heady romance ensues, and things all look rosy, except for one hiccup – the devil has evil plans for both of them.
As with previous Christmas shows, Notting Hell does fantastic work in making homages to the original source material. From the main character narration to an obsession with Alec Baldwin, there are numerous Easter eggs to delight fans of the film. Shôn Dale-Jones does great work channeling the spirit of Rhys Ifans as the under-panted roommate Spike, and the scene where Hugh Grant walks through Portobello Market and several different seasons is recreated brilliantly.
There is excellent stagecraft across the board, with Adiza Shardow menacing the stage as the devil. Best of all is the live song production that harnesses the fantastic vocal talents of Houtman. Calling for inspiration from the crowd, she sings that Lindy loves Barbados, Andy bakes fruit cakes and Charlotte doesn’t like fish. When this very song is playing through Julian’s radio in a later scene, it is a magical call-back that epitomises what these Christmas shows do so well. It looks like they will continue to be a festive mainstay for years to come.
Conal Dougan