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Synopsis Ding dong merrily on high, Chris and Noel aren’t talking. Ding dong someone broke the Sky, to Blockbusters - get walking Gloooooooooooooooooria No trophies will come your way Gloooooooooooooooooria At least our fans don’t come from Norway. Chris and Noel have been friends since junior school and they only ever disagreed on one thing - football. They became next door neighbours, their wives became best friends and their kids grew up like brother and sister. But that was before "The Talacre Incident". Now the lads aren’t talking, the wives aren't meant to be talking and, to make things worse, their kids are getting on a damn sight better than they should be! A story about rednoses, bluenoses and Christmas lights so bright they can be seen from space. Fred Lawless’ new play will sleigh you with laughter as best friends fall out with more than just pride at stake. Join Chris and Noel, Holly and Ivy for this year’s Scouse Christmas treat at the Royal Court. There will be plenty of ho ho hos to go around as you raise a glass to a proper scouse Christmas - have a Merry Ding Dong! Ding dong merrily on high, this bluenose cheat wants a fight Ding dong just stop telling lies, do one you useless Koppite Gloooooooooooooooooooria The red army is greater Gloooooooooooooooooooria Rafa’s just a fat waiter.
Fred Lawless’ innovative production Merry Ding Dong certainly has humour, it is filled with songs, yet neither are fit for the kids. In a festive twist, the Royal Court provide an adult treat, where vicars are drunk, carols are cynical and jokes are x-rated.
In terms of narrative, the story is simple. One red family. One blue family. Chris and Noel (played by Stephen Fletcher and Jake Abraham), once friends, are now conflicting neighbours - one a supporter of Everton blue, the other a Liverpool red. Yet, despite their disagreements, their wives are best friends and their scholarly son and emo daughter are secretly in love. Thrown into a perfect comedy recipe, can Chris and Noel learn to forgive and forget ‘The Talcre Incident’, the ultimate cause of their fallout?
There is a real sense of community spirit from the audience, Liverpudlian humour tickling you so much, that you can’t help but laugh. Santa Claus isn’t coming to town in this show, rather, he’s ‘getting pissed off’, and in the funniest adaptation of them all, ‘The Snowman’ theme tune is placed in the most surreal context, causing an outburst of applause from within the auditorium.
The seven members of the cast ooze energy, and it truly looks like they have had such fun during rehearsal. Older members of the cast, when dancing, sometimes remind me of drunken aunties and uncles at a Christmas party, however, their vocals and harmonies are just beautiful. What is more, like panto, it is lovely to see people stepping out of their comfort zones, losing any inhibitions, to get into the Christmas spirit. Alan Stock’s portrayal of the intoxicated priest is not one to be missed, being the absolute steal of the whole show.
Furthermore, although utterly bizarre, Eithne Browne (Holly) and Lindzi Germain (Ivy) shine in a hairdresser multi-role, bearing resemblance to the charisma and silliness of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Some scenes do go on too long, jokes have ‘on and off’ moments but on the whole Lawless’ writing is cleverly diverse, It contains a selection of eclectic songs and being performed on a simple, yet effective set (windows of houses opening like those in an advent calendar).
Merry Ding Dong is about as far removed from the nativity as you are going to get, ultimately providing something different for adults to enjoy this December.
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