REVIEW | Ghosted: Another F***ing Christmas Carol
★★★★
Reviewer - BECKY ANDREWS
Make sure not to leave this festive treat ghosted!
Ghosted! Another F****** Christmas Carol has just begun its run at The Other Palace Studio and, wow, what an absolute Christmas cracker! What better way to start your Christmas season off than with a modernized adult and self-aware comedy of one of the most famous stories to be written.
I went into this pretty blind, only knowing the cast to star including Natalie Boakye, Christopher Lane, Liam McHugh & Nikki Biddington and, of course, the story it was based on. What an absolute multitasking creative delight they all were!
The show follows the well-known theme of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It still has all of the traditional foundations but takes a slightly more humorous and witty tone with some very current comedy for many to relate to, Gen Z particularly watch out! It doesn’t rely too heavily on special effects or belting songs to convey its message and isn't afraid to break the fourth wall with its audience.
I mean we have queer ghosts, Scrooge, festive props and songs, with some extra little surprises and references dotted along the way. The cast had brilliant comedic timing and a special shout-out to Christopher Lane for his genius interpretation of the 3 ghosts of Christmas Past, Present & Future! It was so refreshing to see a completely different take on roles we’ve seen played quite frequently.
David Shields’ set design was cleverly done, very minimal, subtle and intimate, but that’s all it needed. This made it all the more warming and as if you’re listening to a tale around the fire on Christmas Eve. Anymore production design and you would’ve become easily distracted.
You could tell from the constant sound of laughter how immersed everyone was and how much everyone was enjoying themselves. The jokes landed so well and even the audience could become involved, there was honestly so much to love and laugh at, you’ll want to watch it again and again, but maybe don’t bring the kids…
Absolute credit also goes to the writers Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper, all the gags landed perfectly, without the cringe factor, which I think is such a difficult thing to achieve in a day and age of hard-to-please critics, especially with a story which could be argued is overdone. Not to mention the even more comical carol lyrics written by Jon Bradfield, it was so brilliant how one minute you were appreciating some beautiful harmonies to then burst into stupendous laughter at an ironic line cleverly placed midway through the song.
Ghosted has become a sure classic for me and I’m already looking into buying another ticket! I honestly couldn’t think of anyone who wouldn’t fall under the category of not being entertained. Amazingly funny and something to not be missed! ‘Tis the season to have a jolly good chuckle with your friends. I recommend not letting this little gem of a show fade away into the hands of Ghost of Christmas past…
Ghosted. Another F****** Christmas Carol is running until Christmas Eve at The Other Palace Studio London. Don’t miss out! Book your tickets here.
*Disclaimer: AD | Gifted Tickets
