Myra DuBois: We Wish You a Myra Christmas Review

Soho Theatre – until 1 June 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

It’s still only May, but Myra DuBois manages to fill the Soho(ho) Theatre Downstairs with Christmas spirit, complete with cardboard tree and the mandatory box of Quality Street. Looking spectacular in a dress resembling a glittery Christmas cracker wrapped in a net curtain, Myra’s on a mission to convert an (un)lucky audience member from Bah Humbug to Christmas jumper-wearing joy, and there are singalongs (including a hysterically chaotic rendition of 12 Days of Christmas showcasing the audience’s gift wishes), anecdotes from Myra’s panto career and glimpses of her childhood.

The joy of the show is Myra’s coruscating wit when weaving snippets of information picked up from the audience into riffs on veganism, mindfulness and her romantic history. Although the whip-smart, hilarious comments all score direct hits, the audience is never intimidated or humiliated – it’s like being teased unmercifully by that wonderfully inappropriate aunt that everyone tries to get drunk at family gatherings. Instead of relief, you end up a little disappointed that you weren’t picked on.

Whether you’re a seasoned AdMyra or you’ve never seen DuBois in action, this clever and face-achingly funny hour in the company of the Siren of South Yorkshire doesn’t seem enough. This is playfully scathing comedy at its best.