The Liar, The Bitch and the Wardrobe, Turbine Theatre Review
Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The only thing better than a Christmas panto is a panto based on The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Created by Joshua Coley, in this original panto, we see Edward and Peter, now sprightly 18+ gay youths that are thankfully no longer related but in love and sent to evacuate to Mrs McReedy’s house for butch boys before finding Narnia in the closet and fighting for its freedom from the wicked b*tch.
They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, which sums up this panto best. It holds all the core aspects of the story that you know and love but has so much adult humour and salacious jokes that you will be in constant stitches of laughter. My chest hurt from laughing throughout this show and I was brought to tears of mirth throughout much of Act 2. The set was fabulous and the wardrobe scenes were amazing at showcasing the change in the world and will make you roar in laughter. There are plenty of panto classics, such as “he’s behind you!”, silly songs, audience participation games, and a very glamorous panto dame. The reimagining of this panto is like a bingo game of all your 2024 highlights, including Chappell songs, bringing back a “brat summer” and having Moo Deng the hippo acting as an evil henchman for the wicked queen. The resulting mash-up of classic and new twists would make even the most jaded Scrooge giggle by the end of Act 1 and there wasn’t a cold audience member left without constant giggling by the first 20 minutes had finished.
The awesome foursome of Holly Ashman, Yannick Budd, Grant Cartright and Conor Headly all work supremely hard in this production playing multiple roles. Their chemistry and comedic skills are impeccable and they are truly brilliant at ringing every possible laugh and joke out of a situation possible. They sing, dance, and make highly questionable adult jokes but their performances truly make this panto five stars.
This panto also has a huge amount of heart and I wholeheartedly agree with its message of celebrating love in all its forms and being proud to be with your partners. It’s not often this message is stylistically delivered with Pink Pony Club or by Moo Deng as an evil henchman but it is no less sincere in its delivery. I am extremely saddened to hear that the Turbine Theatre will be closing at the end of this year. I can think of no finer swan song than this phenomenal production and I wish the team there nothing but the best. They have played a sincere and mighty part in London’s theatre scene and will be sorely missed in 2025.
If you are searching for a rollicking good time and a phenomenal adult panto and want to relive the highlights of your brat summer, then run to see The Liar, The Bitch and The Wardrobe this Christmas!
At Turbine Theatre until 22 December 2024
★★★★★
