Interviews

Five reasons to see… The DIY Nativity

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14 November 2012

1. Because
YOU make the show happen.

The DIY Nativity is a hair-brained
user-generated family escapade. We wanted to make a show like much
of our solo work – we wanted it to be family friendly but
experimental and outrageous at the same time.

This
meant that meaningful, enjoyable, boundary-pushing participation was
essential. All the family get involved, all those from four up to
104. Think The Generation Game mixed with
Jackanory and Top of the Pops
– and you are half-way there.

2.
Because the sound design concept is presently called
Little Donkey Computer Game Rave.
We
wanted the music to be familiar but also to be exciting, new, funny
and original. Sam is a music whizz and Stu is beautiful at loop
pedals and of course as anyone who has seen my previous shows will
know, I love a good rave tune or party on stage, so it made sense to
give it our own stamp.

You
will go from listening to Mariah Carey to the inside of Santa’s
reindeer’s tummy and back (but not Maria Carey in a reindeer’s
tummy!). Plus, the people in the audience will help us make music
too.

3. Because it features Sam Halmarack of Miserablites
fame and Stuart Bowden ,the singing tiger from Dr
Brown‘s kids’ show.

These
two are amazing in their own solo careers and it felt very exciting
to bring together three very different performers who yet share a
very similar sense of humour and fun. Sam and Stu’s shows were my
favourites of last year… so having the chance to snatch and grab
them was such a plus for this commission!

4.
My costumes look like a kid vomited Christmas all over
them.

Now
I love a good costume as you all know, but this show goes one step
further. Dressing up and Christmas were big in my house… the
amount of costume changes has to be ridiculous. I thus far have nine
wigs and nine pairs of shoes… but I think I may need to let a few
go – it’s getting out of control. I dress the boys and the
audience up too!

5. Oh! and last but not least because God is going to have a
fight with Father Christmas!
Look,
it’s okay! It’s nothing awful… just a good old-fashioned wrestling
match. If you like things a bit outrageous then come to this show!
It’s very much about people having different interpretations on what
Christmas should and can be… so there is a lot of fighting in the
show. Like all good Christmases should have.

The
DIY Nativity by
Bryony Kimmings is at The Junction, Cambridge from 4 to 30
December. The running-time is one hour and performance times vary.
There are special over 16-only shows on 12 and 19 December.