The Other Palace Theatre
Playing until 5th January 2025
Photo credit: Mark Senior
Review {AD-PR Gifted}
Home alone, but not as you know it. Though I suspect you already know that from the title. Kevin (Elliott Evans)’s wish for his family to disappear came true when his mum, Kate (Allie Dart), and dad, Peter (Jack North), accidentally left him behind at home when they rushed to get a flight to Paris. This all sounds very familiar, but it was evident that Peter is a “closeted” raging homosexual and the campness of the entire family dialled up to 1000%. But, would you have expected anything else from a show titled Homo Alone premiered around Christmas?
Writers, Bobby Delaney and Jodie Prenger, have written in some comedy gems into this show, which is submerged in blissful filth and every minute of the production is filled to the brim with innuendos or hilarious sexual tension. Under the direction of Alex Jackson, the cast shatters the fourth wall, bringing the audience along on their ludicrous family feud and even completing the traps to torment the burglars that break into their house. Even though this two acts show is almost two hours long, it is wonderfully paced and the first hour simply flew by as I immersed myself among the chaotic performance on stage.
At some point, it becomes impossible to disentangle whether something is deliberately well rehearsed or just ruthless improv, but at this stage of the show and a couple of drinks in, the lines are so blurred and you are surrounded by howls of laughter, none of that really matters and it is best just to roll with it and enjoy the moment. Throughout the show, it is as if the actors are deliberately trying to make each other break character, and it was evident that some of them were rendered speechless and could not stop themselves from smiling. But none of this mattered for the audience, it is a ridiculous show with a ridiculous premise and we should just embrace that.
Of note, Allie Dart’s Kate is among the highlight of the show, channelling an exaggerated Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek in her performance, which easily garners the most laughs. Jack North’s portrayal of a homosexual Peter is over the top and simply ridiculous, at one point bending his back to almost 90 degree and almost snapping it to get away from Kate’s kiss. Kevin, described as an excessively tall eight-year-old, garners much of the laughs in this production, including the traps he set up and the strip tease he performs. Though, I must admit the latter was a perhaps a bit creepy when you connect it to the fact that he is playing a supposed eight-year-old. When not playing Kevin, Evans also serves as a snow delivering vehicle, his emotionless and visibly annoyed expression when throwing snowflakes through the window was strangely hilarious to watch.
You should absolutely not bring young children to see this show. No, seriously, it’s 16+ only and rightly so. It does not offer a coherent story or even a believable premise. However, that's not what it is aiming for, it is here to provide a laugh out loud experience that grips attention and shoots high camp extravaganza.
Creatives
Writers: Jodie Prenger and Bobby DelaneyDirector: Alex JacksonChoreographer: Dale WhiteSet & Costume Design: Louie WhitemoreLighting Designer: Chris McDonnellSound Designer: Rob AtkinsonMusic Editor: Alex Bourne Musical Director: Lauren Hopkinson
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