Reindeer Monologues

Bucking hell, this was a good show! Now, I've always heard it referred to as "The Reindeer Monologues" although, apparently, its correct title is "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues." (Not "The Eight Reindeer Monologues".) The Eight are, as you'd expect, Santa's top reindeer -- the team that pulls the sleigh every Christmas Eve. However, not all is well within the elite group and they all have their piece to say.... The show has been advertised with the tagline, "Prepare to be offended!" And yes, there's some coarse language, sexual references, drug references, and adult themes, but nothing TOO bad. And what production at this time of year DOESN'T open with a pornographic version of "Jingle Bell Rock"? It's almost mandatory. Dasher (Michael Dornan) opens the show powerfully with an impassioned piece about the importance of loyalty and job pride, but we quickly realize all is not well at the North Pole. Coarse comedy with campy Cupid (Chris Thomas) lightens the mood, followed by an Oscar-worthy performance from new recruit, Hollywood (Alex Jones). Blitzen (Gemma Jones) spells things out as the audience alternately roars with laughter and cringes in its seats. Then there was a twenty-minute interval. A little strange after only four monologues, each approximately ten minutes long. I felt it interrupted the flow but maybe the deal with the Fly By Night Club involves encouraging patrons to get up and buy more drinks. Thankfully, the force of nature that is Comet (Adam Shuttleworth), started Act 2 with the most frenetic piece of the evening, and just as we thought we'd made up our minds about certain allegations, we're presented with the other side of the argument. Dancer (Maree Grayden) is the epitome of self-interest but even she has some secrets to reveal. Donner (Murray Jackson) and Vixen (Julia Dalby) lay everything on the table. Suddenly, this is not simply a comedy filled with reindeer jokes but a multi-faceted allegory. These are not eight stand-alone stand-up routines. Like all good narratives, they drop hints, lay clues, and keep you intrigued -- hungry for the bigger picture. The audience was not unsatisfied to discover a story that -- tragically -- could have been lifted from any current news cycle. And that's the point. Plenty of laughs, to be sure, but a powerful, powerful indictment of modern mores and attitudes. Sensational stuff from an exemplary cast. Upstairs at the Brisbane Hotel, Highgate. Plenty of tickets at the door -- for now. Don't miss it.