Theatre Review - BONNIE AND FANNY'S CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR - LIVE THEATRE - NEWCASTLE

Photo Credit TJ Mov

This is a show like no other; it’s an energetic mix of lip-syncing, dance routines and side-splitting humour. Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular has been created by comedy troupe Your Aunt Fanny and drag trio Bonnie and The Bonnettes. It’s an exuberant production that throws you into the awkwardness, cliques, frustrations and (most importantly) the fun of an office party. After an email goes astray, all the ladies of ‘Gosforth Office floor two’ decide to break into the boss’s office to retrieve it, although some of them have their own agenda for breaking in. The second half opens with the consequences of the their plans from Act 1 and leaves the audience with aching sides as they each tell the tale from their point of view.

Photo Credit TJ Mov

The basic set, with silver streamers and fairy lights, teamed with party music, lets you know what kind of tacky and happy fun is about to begin. There were simple effective changes as people added a jacket or scarf to become side-characters which added to the comical nature of the show and complimented the other characters perfectly. This is in no way a criticism, but there is strong language in the show and a few lewd conversations; it’s always done with heart and humour. You’ll find yourself comparing the characters with people you know, like Penny (Brogan Gilbert) who plays the naive and largely useless newbie who can only understand the world through the frame of social media. Kim (Lydia Brickland), the typical middle manager who is all about pompous speeches, drives poor Lorraine (Hattie Eason) to the brink as she continues to work the night away. Oh, the power of a wheelie chair! Ivy (Matilda Neill) is the office mean-girl with looks that could shatter glass, as Holly (Katy Powell) is praised once again for her perfect buffet skills. We see an awkward flirtation between the fiery Carol (Jackie Edwards) and Stacey (Rebecca Glendenning), the joyful office DJ that will melt your heart. Then there is Lynne (Cameron Sharp), the most senior member of the team, who, with a mere flick of her hair, will have you in hysterics. To say the cast is strong is an understatement; the whole cast is a powerhouse of talent. Everyone gets great comedic lines, all the cast work so well as an ensemble, it feels like a real work-family.

This show will have you bouncing with joy in your seat as you sing along too. It is, without doubt, theatre to rejuvenate the soul – and is one of the best experiences it’s possible to have watching a show in a theatre. If you don’t feel the urge to clap along, cheer and smile, please check your pulse. I left the theatre thinking, ‘When can I see this again?’ Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular runs from 1^st-23^rd of December 2021 at the Live Theatre; see you there!

Photo Credit TJ Mov