REVIEW: THE CHRISTMAS THING at Seven Dials Playhouse 4 - 21 December 2024

‘Joyful Christmas comedy with nods to iconic Christmas TV of yesteryear’ ★★★★★

In this festive comedy show the theatre audience becomes a TV studio audience. Part game show, part comedy, with loads of audience participation, this glittering Christmas star of a show had the audience belly laughing all the way. 

A homage to Christmas telly of yesteryear, Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser mashed together elements of family Christmas TV favourites like The Generation Game, Noel Edmond’s House Party, Morecombe and Wise and the Muppets in a fast paced, high-energy show that was a real Christmas treat. 

Tom Clarkson’s comedy timing and improvisation skills are exceptional, and his unbounded energy kept the show alive and fizzing. He orchestrated the audience participation brilliantly, always making the person part of the joke, not the butt of it. Owen Visser’s technical wizardry was central to the show, and even when the techy stuff went wrong, it didn’t matter. It all became part of the fun. Visser’s straight man to Clarkson’s funny man, gave balance to the show and his quieter energy gave the latter the opportunity to shine.

It was such a joy to see comedy that didn’t rely on being mean or lewd or sweary. It was a shame they had to have an interval – presumably at the insistence of the theatre so they could sell refreshments – as it took a little while to regain the energy that had been created in the first half. 

For anyone looking for light-hearted fun this Christmas, this is the show for you. 

Photos by Nia Visser

The Christmas Thing by Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser at Seven Dials theatre, 4-21 December 2024, https://sevendialsplayhouse.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173659725/events

Writers/Co-hosts: Tom Clarkson, Owen Visser

Producer Emma Chisholm

Additional Material Dan Clarkson

Musical Director Andy Chisholm

Composer Jack Garratt

Video Designer Gus Melton

Lighting Designer Bob Visser

Reviewer: Srabani Sen

Srabani is a theatre actress and playwright. As an actress she has performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (The Globe), the Arcola, Southwark Playhouse, The Pleasance and numerous fringe theatres, in a range of roles from Shakespeare to plays by new and emerging writers. She has written several short and full length plays. Her play Tawaif was longlisted for the ETPEP Finborough award, and her play Vijaya was shortlisted for the Sultan Padamsee Playwrights Award in Mumbai.