Alternative comedy chaos for Christmas

The Weirdos comedy collective are to stage their first panto in five years.

The Christmas Space Race stars more than 20 stalwarts of the alternative comedy scene including Sam Nicoresti, Michael Brunström, Lucy Pearman, Christian Brighty, Bec Hill and Mark Silcox 

Writer and director Adam Larter said: 'I’m really happy we are bringing the panto back for comedy fans this year.  We have a comedy-nerds dream cast with some of the most unique and absurd talents on the fringe-comedy scene.'

In this year’s show –  being staged at Bloomsbury Theatre in London on December 20 –  the heroes have to race to space to beat a bad bunch of billionaires led by Elon Musk.

Larter says: ‘I think what we do is unique because we write a whole new Christmas story – rather than just adapt one of the traditional panto stories.  

‘It’s for adults only – not because it is full of sex and swearing, but because it is a bit weird and confusing and all the adults are behaving like children, which is a big part of the fun."

 Previous Weirdos pantomimes have been staged in some unusual locations, including a disused private members club opposite the Bank of England and  on the ice rink at Alexandra Palace.

 'Lots of people think we don’t rehearse – but it’s impossible to get the whole cast together before the performance – so we do a lot of rehearsals then put it all together on the night – which keeps it enjoyably loose,’ says Larter.

The full cast line-up is: Ali Brice, Alwin Solanky, Andy Barr, Aniruddh Ojha, Bec Hill, Ben Alborough, Cerys Bradley Charlie Miller, Charlie Vero Martin, Christian Brighty, Helen Duff, Joz Norris, Kat Cade, Liberty Hodes, Lucy Pearman, Mark Silcox, Marny Godden, Matthew Highton, Michael Brunström, Mikey Bligh-Smith, Olivia Deane, Pat Cahill, Sam Nicoresti, Suchandrika Chakrabarti.

Tickets, available here, are £13 and £15, with all proceeds going to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

Published: 27 Nov 2024