New Diorama Theatre – until 23 December. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Thirty Christmases is a Christmas show without any schmaltz, but full of heart. Rachel and Jonny haven’t spoken for over 10 years, and haven’t had a happy Christmas together since their father disappeared when they were children. But now they are working things out, and rather than pay for therapy, Jonny has decided to hire a theatre and tell their story to strangers.
Jonny Donahoe‘s play with music is warm and wistful, exploring the loneliness of Christmastime without anyone special to celebrate with. Telling the story – with the help of best friend Paddy, who they met in care – about childhood Christmases with their socialist and unconventional father, with interesting songs about Jesus being a Socialist and unique Christmas traditions thrown in, the siblings reveal their nomadic lifestyle and their dad’s chaotic personality before matter-of-factly describing the day dad walked out on them. Donohoe (Jonny & the Baptists) and Rachel Parris bounce off each other as convincing siblings, with Parris’s frustration at Donohoe’s man-child behaviour developing from amusing to heart-breaking. Donohoe’s musical partner Paddy Gervers is ever-present, a looming presence as dad, or cheerfully commenting on his friends’ actions, unable to understand how they could reject each other when he would love to have a family of his own.
Interspersed with songs including Reindeer Sex, Don’t Be a Prick at Christmas, and a fantastic spoof of charity singles, this is definitely not a family show, but it does leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Director Alice Hamilton creates a relaxed and homely feel with the kitchen set, and as the audience enter, volunteers are talked into helping peel potatoes, make paper chains and chat with the cast as they prepare for Christmas. Later in the show, some unlucky people also get to sample some of dad’s interesting variations on Eggnog – not for the fainthearted!
With a strong vein of anti-consumerism, Thirty Christmases focuses on the importance of being together at Christmas, and the impact of homelessness, without preaching or over-sentimentality. Instead what you get is a laugh out loud story with hysterical songs that will see you leave the theatre with a huge grin on your face and a newfound determination to enjoy simply BEING with your loved ones at Christmas – even if they give you socks. Buy them a ticket as an early Christmas present.