REVIEW: Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Pleasance Theatre 11 - 21 December

'This is one show you won't want to miss!' ★★★★ 1/2

Following the rambunctious success of Diana: The Untold Untrue Story, Linus Karp and Joseph Martin have cooked up another delightfully silly musical centered on the infamous 2016 ski incident at Deer Valley Resort. Yes, the one that sparked headlines and even inspired a West End musical! This production dives into the collision between Hollywood’s most famous “nepobaby” and retired septuagenarian optometrist Terry Sanderson, whose claims of “permanent traumatic brain injury” (or should we say "gwinjury"?) fuel a hilarious narrative filled with sharp one-liners, in her defence that she lost "half a day of skiing". Karp and Martin are here for a good time, and you should be too!

Karp takes on the role of the gwiconic Gwyneth Paltrow, portrayed as serene, hopeful, and curiously Scandinavian (Karp himself is Swedish). Whether she’s a hero or a figure shrouded in ambiguity is left up to the audience’s interpretation. Martin embodies Terry Sanderson, the proud Utah optometrist who claims to be the victim of the ski mishap. Their contrasting lives play out on stage, juxtaposing Sanderson’s “sad” existence with Paltrow’s glamorous, privileged world.

The incident unfolds in a delightful, high-camp fashion reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy, showcasing the undeniable chemistry and joy that both actors exude on stage—a true pleasure to witness.

The energy in the audience mirrored that of a lively drag show, filled with cheers and boisterous support, elevating the performance to a spectacle of its own.

The script is packed with clever jokes (I won’t spoil the fun, but there’s a memorable cameo involving Gwyneth and Chris Martin’s daughter, Apple Martin). A particularly hilarious sequence chronicles the events from the 2016 incident to the 2023 trial, leaving me in stitches and momentarily embarrassed as I laughed too loudly beside the couple next to me.

Karp and Martin cleverly involve the audience as supportive characters, including Paltrow’s future husband and Sanderson’s girlfriend. Their efforts are seamlessly coordinated by stagehand Ciara Pidgeon, who shines both offstage and on.

At two hours, the show flies by, thanks to the inventive storytelling that bounces with surprises and delights. A special treat is the audio contributions from Darren Criss (of Glee fame) and Catherine Cohen, who provide the singing voices for Sanderson and Paltrow, respectively. Visually, Trixie Mattel (of RuPaul fame) makes a memorable appearance as Gwyneth’s mother.

This production truly deserves all the attention it’s receiving. With its stellar cast, sharp writing, and a generous sprinkle of snowy frivolity, it’s a festive delight just in time for Christmas. This is one show you won’t want to miss!

Gwyneth Goes Skiing

Created by Awkward Productions 

Pleasance Theatre 

11th December to 21st December 

From £24 

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/gwyneth-goes-skiing

Photography by Jonny Ruff