My review of the play I did end up seeing the show 3 times during previews Dec 3, 6-7. By the 7th I started to have some dialog memorized
I am glad I did see it for a third time as I was able to notice changes that were made between Monday night and then Tuesday night performances plus pick out more detail I missed. Also on the 3rd the audience was different more laughter which went into missing dialog because trying to stop laughing was very hard to do. On Monday the audience at times just didn't seem to be fully in tune but by Tue night the audience was back but allowing the performance to continue.
My in depth review:
Season's Greetings is a laugh out loud make you want to fall out of your seat at times play! The dysfunction of the family members and friends make one think "Yes I do have someone like this in my family or very near". The cast all do splendid bring the characters to life to the point where you think you just can't make this stuff up and that you aren't watching a play but real life unfolding before your eyes.
Set: The set was massive with three levels to it. What was fantastic about this is that it did allow for some extra comedy by allowing for some great physical comedic moments as well with dialog. The main part of the set very well blocked to divide living room, dinning area and hallway space. The space within is perfect to allow for the physical comedic moments as well as practical. The overall space did allow to divide up different sections with what was going in each area of action in the living room/dinning room and hallway. This way the audience is able to continually see different events unfold with the characters.
Props: I have to say the props were fantastic! The actors were really at home with these. The usage of the Christmas Tree, presents, puppets, and broken toys just added on to the hysteria of laughter. I felt that the props were there own small side little characters for the enjoyment of the audience. Bernard's puppet show the detail is incredible that went into each of the characters for it. Even the Postman puppet looked a bit like Mark Gatiss character Bernard!
Costumes: The costumes spot on for the early 80's with a touch of 70's. Loved Rachel's dresses as they looked stunning on Nicola Walker. The blue party dress that Phyllis (Jenna Russell) wears Christmas night straight from the 80's and amazing as it just screams a perfect match to the character. Each costume really breathed that it fit perfectly with each character in terms of the personality of each individual. Watching the characters brought to life in their costumes you can really tell that "yes I can see this person wearing this type of dress, jumper/trouser..... because it is their style and personality type"
Lighting: The lighting really was done brilliantly to make it feel that you were inside a house. The shades of blue to stimulate evening brought out an extra bit. Meaning the blue could represent the dysfunction of the family. Also there are a few times when Rachel is sitting in the blue light. This could have meaning into what is going on with the character overall trying to cope with her situation with Clive (Oliver Chris).
Neville Bunker (Neil Stuke): The gadget wizard of broken toys! Neil does a wonderful job as Neville the husband who is clueless to his marriage who would rather fix things. Neil really brings out the side of Neville who doesn't understand the importance of paying the slightest bit of attention to his wife Belinda (Catherine Tate).
Belinda Bunker (Catherine Tate): The sexually oppressed wife and sister who can flaunt what she has while trying to have a normal Christmas! Catherine Tate does a splendid performance as Belinda. Catherine brings out the sexual power of Belinda towards Clive (Oliver Chris) the visiting house guest who is "dating" Rachel. Not only does she have wonderful comedic timing but her physical comedic performance shines even more at the end of the first act with Oliver Chris.
Phyllis (Jenna Russell): Phyllis the drunken slightly not normal on the verge of mental. Jenna plays Phyllis superbly. As Phyllis spends most of Scene 1 Act 1 off stage in the throws of battle with making dinner as soon as Jenna enters the stage the building of the character is brought to life without missing a beat. With brilliantly acting drunk while playing Snakes and Ladders to the physical comedy on display towards the end of Act 1 really made for an enjoyable character.
Harvey (David Troughton): Harvey the obsessed with violence and very rude uncle. David has a marvelous performance by setting the tone of the character within the first 5 minutes! David brings to life Harvey who reminds me of Archie Bunker from the television show (American) All in the Family. As David continues throughout the play builds up the true matter of fact, I don't care attitude, mixed with the old days of the Security Service of Harvey this just brings out ending of the play.
Bernard is Phyllis husband (Mark Gatiss): Bernard the horrible doctor who tries his best. Mark brilliantly has poor Bernard mess things up. As Bernard's famous yearly puppet show is built up with everyone dreading the thought of it; by the end of the first act it had me on the edge of my seating wanting to see the puppet show! Of course Mark was able to deliver a wonderful performance of Bernard's disastrous puppet show which had the audience laughing.
Rachel Belinda's sister (Nicola Walker): Poor Rachel having trouble keeping a man in her life. Nicola superbly brings to life Rachel who has the worst luck and lack of self confidence when it comes to relationships. Though Rachel is a smaller character Nicola is able to bring out the conflicting battle within the character which struggles to want to be in love yet finds the most convincing way to mess it up. Rachel's lack of self confidence and knowing her sister is all that she will never be; Nicola smoothly let's the audience into this world that Rachel struggles with yet brings in the humour of "It's not really that important". Her performance makes one want to give the character a hug and tell her everything work out in the end.
Eddie and Pattie (Marc Wootton and Katherine Parkinson): The husband and wife who seem to have too many children and makes one wonder how they even fell in love. Both Marc and Katherine help breathe to life dysfunction within a marriage. Marc wonderfully plays Eddie the husband who would rather be at the pub with Neville then pay attention to his family. Katherine wonderfully brings to life poor Pattie pregnant taking care of the children who slowly sees her family life long gone of any chance of bliss. The best moment is where Eddie is passed out on the chair and Pattie has to wake him up while Rachel watches. The physical comedy of watching Pattie trying to wake him up while explaining to Rachel "Some how he was the man for her" brings the audience in with laughter.
Clive (Oliver Chris): The not so great novelist house guest. Oliver magically transforms Clive who very nervously enters a house with only knowing Rachel into a man who clearly messes up. Oliver has a wonderful moment with Phyllis and the presents. The best part is Clive and Belinda make a huge mess while trying to have sex at the end of the first act. Oliver also helps bring out the fumbling side of Clive as well.
Overall a very highly recommended must see play. Even though I only saw the previews by the 7th everything was falling into place for the show's run. The cast have already made the characters believable and wonderfully make the audience feel they are watching the dysfunction unfold. I wish the cast and crew the best with much love for the rest of the show's run!!
~Jodie