Arcola Theatre – until 11 January 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
A shot-for-shot version of Jurassic Park with just two actors and a Foley artist sounds an insane idea, and this fabulously bonkers but affectionate parody is insanely good.
Created by Recent Cutbacks, with sellout runs in New York and Edinburgh, Hold On To Your Butts is refreshingly silly and a must see for fans of the film, or those busy people who can only spare 75 minutes. It’s basically stoned SparkNotes.
Directed by Kristin McCarthy Parker with associate director Charlie Richards, and developed with Nick Abeel, Kyle Schaefer, and Blair Busbee, the show immediately leans into the cinematic experience with spoof trailers for blockbuster films and even a Pearl & Dean parody before launching at breakneck speed into the plot. Performers Jack Baldwin and Laurence Pears share roles as the major characters, with sunglasses, hats and other props marking who they are for the uninitiated. Greasy lawyer Gennaro is a red tie around a wrist, while all other characters have unique body language and voices. Changes of location are handled with description, or if there’s just no time, a slow whisper to the audience “We’re in the KITCHEN!”
The show takes the mickey out of certain characterisations from the film – Samuel L Jackson’s technician has an increasing number of cigarettes in their mouth as tension rises, while Muldoon’s manly poses become more ridiculous as the show goes on and, of course, Jeff Goldblum’s famous pose as he lies injured does not escape mockery.
The props are brilliantly low tech, with umbrellas for helicopters (the iconic waterfall scene is a hoot) and easily copied dinosaur costumes that could inspire any children in the audience to terrorise their parents for months. Even though they are so silly, the production still manages to include some jump scares between the laughs. Charley Ives’ skill on the Foley desk is incredible, and sometimes it is hard to tell who is having more fun – the cast or the audience. This playful prehistoric parody is a delight.
Laurence Pear appears until 4 January, Charlie Richards appears from 6 January
Find details of 2025 UK tour here: http://www.holdontoyourbutts.com