What do you get when you combine old fashioned variety, a fake TV show, audience participation and festive cheer? Christmas thing, Of course!
Returning to Seven Dials Playhouse after its blistering run in 2024, The Christmas thing is the work of the duo Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser, also known for their Mr Thing show. Part TV special, part live variety show, The Christmas thing sees the pair transform the theater into their very own broadcast studio where the audience are the special guests.
As soon as you step into the main building at Seven Dials Playhouse, you are transported into the television studio and greeted with QR codes to scan. This facilitates some audience participation later on, with members of the audience being drawn up on stage to take part in a number of games and general hijinx, showing their support for team sprouts or team parsnips along the way.
The premise of the show itself is multimedia mayhem, with Tom and Owen aiming to deliver their very own festive special. They also live stream with their friend Puppet Steve who is supposed to be in Lapland to interview Santa, when we discover that Old Saint Nick has gone missing. Throughout the evening, there are Christmas games, video skits, music, remote-controlled cameras (including an unsuspecting audience member who becomes camera three and carries the main camera for the rest of the evening) and lots of festive twists.
The Christmas thing channels the energy of these classic festive specialties that no longer seem to exist, but get a shiny makeover in 2025 thanks to Tom and Owen’s slapstick humor, hilarious pop culture references – including rewriting the lyrics to many famous pop songs – and ridiculous story lines. A lot happens throughout the show (maybe a little for a lot in the name of honesty) but this adds to the chaos of the evening.
The show combines comedy with musical theatre, as well as the talents of members of the live studio audience. Throughout the show, we’re treated to a number of show-stopping musical numbers, including a parody of the iconic Sunset Blvd walk-around which was a particular highlight. There were also quite a few video covers from the likes of Simon Lipkin, Iain Stirling and more, which brought many laughs from the crowd.
Tom and Owen deliver festive razzle dazzle galore. The pair have wonderful chemistry (which is to be expected given their long-standing friendship), and really bounce off each other throughout the evening. But they also stand out in their own right, with Tom as the charming emcee and Owen as the technical wizard.
A large part of the show’s success is also due to the elements of audience participation, and thankfully for this particular performance, the audience were in top form and showcased their talents throughout the evening. Some of the highlights included a gargled version of the national anthem, someone doing the splits and a grown man imitating a crying child.
One of the other big wins for the show was the use of technology throughout. From the first QR codes that showed the audience’s emotions at the beginning, a scroll through a fake Netflix setting, to the incredible video recap at the end, technology plays a big role and really elevates the performance.
My biggest concern with The Christmas thing is that it feels like it’s trying to be too many things at once and at times I felt this took away from my enjoyment of the show. Although the duo maintained high levels of energy throughout both acts, the first half was definitely stronger and there were some pieces that felt full throughout. That said, you’d have to be a Grinch not to enjoy this chaotic Christmas extravaganza and it’s a great panto alternative for the Christmas season.
If you’re not a fan of chaotic comedy and audience participation, this show probably isn’t for you. But if you love a lot of silliness and don’t take yourself too seriously then The Christmas thing is the perfect way to count down to the big day.
The Christmas thing playing at Seven Dials Playhouse until December 20. Click here for remaining tickets.
Let us know your thoughts on ThePlayerLounge socials now!
| X| |
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
