MARY BIJOU’S NUT CRACKING CHRISTMAS | LIVE REVIEW
Fri 28 Nov, Four Elms, Cardiff
I don’t often hand out five stars reviews. I’ve only ever given one show the full five stars before and that was because, as well as having thoroughly enjoyed it, I couldn’t think of a single thing that they had done wrong. I usually reserve five stars for shows I think are ‘flawless’.
Mary Bijou’s Nut Cracking Christmas wasn’t flawless, but cheeky charm and energetic sense of fun exuding from all of the performers (and the audience thanks to the hilarious compering of George Orange) made this one the best show I’ve seen this year.
As we wandered into the set up theatre in the Four Elms former church (after hitting the bar where were mulled drinks and delicious vegetarian food) we chose our seats and watched a ‘drunken santa’ hold mistletoe above people’s heads and trying to get a mischievous kiss.
The show consisted of sketch-like performances that included circus skills, dance, comedy skits and (of course) cabaret – all with a festive theme. It all started with an elegant angel on a very bare Christmas tree (or Chinese pole) and ended with a gasp inducing trapeze performance by a grumpy reindeer.
Each part of the showcase of talent was hilarious and fun, but some of my favourites included dancing thieves, a rendition of O Holy Night that included silly (and sometimes vulgar) interpretive dance, a retro ski-themed ‘X-fit’ session and a cigarette smoking virgin Mary riding on the back of a donkey (that looked more like Frank the Rabbit from Donni Darko than a mule) while the audience sang along to Little Donkey.
Every single performer brought a great energy and playfulness to the stage, but a special mentioned should be made of dance troupes Kitsch n Synch and Chloe Loftus Dance (who both performed extremely funny dance routines), Laura Moy (who continues to impress with both her acting and acrobatic skill and in the show managed to play a rebellious angel, a dancing Christmas present and the smoking mother of Christ), Anna Sandreuter (who kept compsure when her fake beard fell off during a hula-hoop performance) and George Orange – the fabulous compere that brought it all together.
The whole show finished off with a disco and, filled with the spirit created by the performers, plenty of people hung back and got dancing! It was a great show and a great night with great people.
