Theatre / Reviews
Review: Gwyneth Goes Skiing, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘a hilariously camp holiday from the miserable cold’
In an increasingly dark and desperate world, we must cling to whatever glimmers of light we can.
In 2023 that glimmer of light was the trial of Paltrow v. Sanderson. Nepo baby, Oscar-winner, and wellness website founder Gwyneth Paltrow was sued by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson for a crash on the ski slopes of Utah.
Celebrities of Paltrow’s wealth and status largely avoid such dull civilian environments, but she turned up in person to contest the claim and via livestream the world watched endless meme-able and ridiculous moments – from her infamous summation of the impact of the incident (‘Well, we lost half a day of skiing’) to Sanderson’s lawyer asking if she was friends with Taylor Swift (who has also famously countersued someone for $1) and expressing jealousy over her height.
is needed now More than ever
Linus Karp stars as Gwyneth
The camp, whimsy and silliness of the whole trial is perfectly on brand for Awkward Productions’ latest show, Gwyneth Goes Skiing.
They’ve already performed it at the Edinburgh Fringe, in London and Utah, and will be returning there next year with the show, as well as visiting New York and LA – it’s a sign of their rising star that this news was announced in Playbill and Rolling Stone, among others.
Having seen their previous two shows, How to Live a Jellicle Life and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story (also heading out on a world tour in 2025), I was excited for a hilarious evening of heavily Gwymsical humour.
Linus Karp stars in the titular role as an ethereal and self-satisfied version of Gwyneth (the show begins with an invitation to ‘uncouple ourselves from our sad little lives’).
Joseph Martin plays the plaintiff Terry Sanderson
Much like Untrue Diana, we are not in the realm of accurate impressions, but instead a far more fun one, where the eponymous heroine constantly references herself and her wellness empire with increasingly laboured puns – ‘That’s that Gwi expresso’ being my favourite.
We are introduced to Paltrow and Sanderson (Joseph Martin), before moving to the action at the Utah ski resort of Deer Valley.
Creative liberties have been taken to make their paths cross pre-crash: Paltrow’s ‘current boyfriend and future husband’ Glee producer Brad Falchuk (stunningly played by an audience member reading off a screen) attempts to get Paltrow’s daughter, Apple Martin, on side while Sanderson attempts to win back his criminal ‘current but future ex-girlfriend,’ and return Paltrow’s lost jumper.
The production budget has certainly increased since Untrue Diana – the high-quality lighting, wigs and scenery are evidence of this – but the set design remains relatively minimal, even charmingly and hilariously cheap at times, with Karp ‘skiing’ via a fan and fake snow, and Apple Martin being portrayed by a literal apple (which also skis in an excellent moment of the show.)
I enjoyed the skiing song, especially the lyric ‘Look at me go, Gwyneth Paltrow skiing in the snow,’ and the Act I closer that involved Elphaba’s battle cry from Wicked‘s Defying Gravity delivered by Karp with a beatific smile.
Joseph Martin does double duty as Terry Sanderson and lawyer Kristin VanOrman
Sanderson is minimally characterised and it felt like he could have done with a little more beyond being grumpy and repeatedly referencing and making puns about being an optometrist, although Martin commits fully to his growly voice and put-upon demeanour.
Life shines on Paltrow and rains on him; while the adorable woodland creatures and eponymous deer of Deer Valley worship her, they attack him with snowballs (thrown by the audience).
I particularly enjoyed a guest appearance around this time from the traitorous Edmund of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – this hyper-specific reference is done brilliantly and these sort of references are what I enjoy the most in Awkward Productions shows.
We end the first half of the play with a tango number as our two protagonists blame each other for the (offstage) crash before resuming after an interval for the trial itself.
The second half of the play narrows in on the trial
While the skiing accident occurred in 2016, the trial itself didn’t take place until 2023. Thus, a rapid-fire montage of pop culture is shown to remind us what took place over the intervening seven years including fidget spinners, Hillary Clinton’s presidential debates and Jesy Nelson’s Jingle Bell Ball performance among many others.
I wished there was more room for multimedia moments like this, which were more prominent in Awkward Productions’ previous shows.
The second half initially drags a little, until the momentum of the extended trial scene picks up.
Joseph Martin does double duty as he voices Sanderson’s lawyer, Kristin VanOrman, who appears as a puppet.
VanOrman was the source of several of the trial’s most ridiculed moments, but Martin’s puppet voice is quite shrill and occasionally difficult to understand.
As I re-read articles about the ins and outs of the trial for this review, it was shocking how much of the silliness lined up with real events – although it seemed a shame the play didn’t mention how Sanderson argued he could no longer enjoy wine tastings as result of the accident, or Paltrow offering ‘treats’ as a thank you to the bailiffs.
It was shocking how much of the silliness lined up with real events
There are several musical numbers throughout the production, often reliant on lip-synching; it’s a testament to Awkward Productions’ success that Sanderson’s singing voice is provided by Glee and Broadway alum Darren Criss – drag star Trixie Mattel also cameos as Blythe Danner, Paltrow’s mother.
The show relies heavily on audience participation, most notably for the role of Falchuk, and this adds to its charm and silliness, especially in its climactic moments.
The theatre was packed to the gills and the audience laughed loudly throughout to the dialogue packed full of pop culture references.
Occasionally the production felt a little laboured – unlike Untrue Diana, this a singular event with several characters who are not well-known public figures.
But Karp is a compellingly silly and serene Paltrow, and Martin’s characterisation and commitment to dual roles is impressive. Special mention must also go to the Unnamed Stage Crew Character who operated the puppets, deer and snow among other responsibilities.
All in all, Gwyneth Goes Skiing was a hilariously camp holiday from the miserable cold outside.
Awkward Productions’ brand of whimsical, specific humour is all the more needed these days – I overheard multiple people outside the theatre talking about how much they enjoyed the show, and planned to support the production company’s journey to world domination.
All photos: Jonny Ruff
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