Dead Hard, COLAB Tower Review
Dead Hard. Photo by Alex Walton
Written by Paris for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
If you’re scanning the city for truly bad jokes, over-the-top references to 80s American action movies, and almost questionable use of sex toys, first of all, maybe you should be worried about yourself -and then, look no further. Yippee Theatre’s DEAD HARD delivers all of these in abundance: a drag parody of the action classic Die Hard, staged at the immersive COLAB Tower in London. Directed by Bertie Watkins and written by Watkins, Helena Raeburn, and Lowell Bellfield, DEAD HARD blends interactive theatre with festive adult joy, offering intentionally unrehearsed humour and over-the-top foolishness. While it doesn’t fully deliver on its interactive potential, it’s packed with chaotic energy -perfect for anyone thirsty for mindless fun.
If you’re not expecting much from the story or writing, you’re absolutely correct. The setup is simple: Toby Osmond hilariously plays "Hands," a flamboyant villain orchestrating a heist at "Nakablowme Towers." Despite the writing offering little support, Osmond magnetizes the audience with his striking costume, engaging accent, and fiery passion. Watching him command the stage is pure joy. Alex Dowding embodies the rugged hero, John McClean, with a level of effort that feels intentionally minimal. Dowding’s exaggerated American action-hero accent jokes are predictable but still work well, suiting the silly tone of the show. His relaxed charisma and fitting physicality make him perfect for the role. Calum Robshaw takes three roles -none particularly memorable- but his foolishness and awkwardness still manage to bring laughter in the same way a close friend’s chaotic performance in an amateur play might. If this uncomfortable energy is deliberate, it’s definitely charming. The real star of the show, however, is Jacqui Bardelang. With unmatched energy and undeniable skill, Bardelang elevates the production to something truly memorable. Whether portraying a cocaine-fueled CEO obsessed with morale-boosting, a wannabe macho cop exploring his sexuality, or the quintessence of a too-British and too-irritating phone line worker, Bardelang’s performance is exceptionally comedic, leaving a lasting impression. Bardelang is a performer I would eagerly seek out in future productions.
COLAB Tower’s venue, split between a themed hotel bar on the ground floor and performance spaces on the fifth floor, has both strengths and weaknesses. The immersive elements in the bar help set the scene and draw the audience into the world of DEAD HARD. However, most of the show takes place on a confined stage, limiting the interactive potential that the production promises - its weakest aspect.
What’s most important to take from this show, however, is that if you come with expectations of high-quality comedy or even polished drag panto, you might be disappointed. But what DEAD HARD achieves—and deserves praise for—is its unapologetic embrace of chaotic, childlike fun. From start to finish, it never pretends to be something it isn’t. It’s carefree theatre that reminds us of simpler times, like watching a children’s game unfold before us, with over-the-top performances, awkward pauses, silly jokes, and exaggerated action-hero impersonations. And that’s okay. It brings the audience together to laugh, cheer, and engage with the performers in a way that feels refreshing. To think that a creative team can turn this playful energy into a professional show is no small achievement. In an era where there are so many reasons not to come together (no pun intended), DEAD HARD offers a space to hang social norms next to our coats and be unapologetically childish again. That’s something worth celebrating.
In the end, for fans of Die Hard and drag culture alike, DEAD HARD offers flashes of brilliance and moments of joy. It sometimes feels like a missed opportunity. Sharper writing, more inventive staging, or increased interactivity could elevate it further. Or maybe, all it really needs is even more silly, silly, silly jokes.
At COLAB Tower until 12 January 2025
★★★
