Review: Notting Hell: The Greatest Story in the Underworld, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘As funny a show you could want in this world, or under it’

The Wardrobe Theatre’s Christmas mashup comedies have become a staple of the festive season, and for good reason.

Irreverent, witty and with more than a healthy dose of cheeky smut, they have delighted audiences with past shows including The Good, The Bad & The Coyote Ugly, MDH: Puppets Do A Movie, Little Women In Black, and my personal favourite, Oedipus in Boots.

This year’s offering is slightly different. Billed as ‘the greatest love story in the underworld,’ one storyline follows the Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts romcom Notting Hill. The other borrows from a more generic plot featuring selling your soul to the devil. The latter involves ghastly goings on in Hades. Think Notting Hellraiser.

Tom England and Shôn Dale-Jones in Notting Hell: The Greatest Story in the Underworld

What has definitely not changed is the excellence of the performances. Tom England plays the floppy-haired foppishly handsome Julian, the owner of a seldom visited romantic bookshop. He captures the Hugh Grant gaucheness, all hesitation and whimsy while occasionally given to self-deprecating ‘Bugger it’ lapses.

The woman he falls for is a Charli XCX colour palette megastar by the name of Lexy Chase. Using the word of the year Stephanie Houtman manifests a Taylor Swift-like aura, garnering a fanbase of devoted ‘Chasers’.

Adiza Shardow, Shôn Dale-Jones, Stephanie Houtman and Tom England

A massive bonus is that Houtman has a superb singing voice, and she is versatile enough to improvise a song suggested through audience participation. However, we learn Lexy was not always so cool and in the second half witness the origins of the dreadful pact she makes. Watch out Julian!

Shon Dale-Jones handles purely comic parts, not least the underdressed, pants akimbo boorish lodger, Prick, along with Alec Baldwin, assorted devils and toffs. His comic timing and capacity for not minding how ridiculous he appears when semi naked is a huge audience pleaser.

Adiza Shardow and Tom England

The fourth player, Adiza Shardow plays all the other characters, including the Devil herself, Julian’s very posh too affectionate sibling and anything else that needs doing. And she does it superbly.

It’s not hyperbole to say that the entire cast shines, and is as hardworking as any that have appeared in this small performance space.

Stephanie Houtman and Tom England

The Wardrobe Theatre production, directed by Helena Middleton, features impeccable direction, integrating inventive entrances and exits within a corner set complete with windows, bookcases, and openings, ensuring that the action and laughter is never understated.

Sound design by Jack Drewry incorporating reverb mixed through performers’ microphones, with hilariously authentic voice overs overlaying the ‘walking’ scenes, is a delight, and testimony to what theatre is capable of in such an intimate place.

Stephanie Houtman and Tom England

The second half adds a further layer of emotional depth along with the knockabout humour and general ribaldry, bringing elements of a traditional morality story.

Although they may be sold out, if you get a ticket, then seize the opportunity. It might mean you have to do a deal with someone rather unpleasant, but you will be rewarded with as funny a show you could want in this world. Or under it.

Full ensemble, Notting Hell

Notting Hell: The Greatest Story in the Underworld is at The Wardrobe Theatre until January 18 at 7.45pm with an additional 2pm matinee show on Saturdays (no shows Sunday or Monday). For ticket availability, visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com.

All photos: Jack Offord

Read next:

• Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Coyote Ugly, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘A delightful evening of high-paced silliness’
• Review: MDH – Puppets Do a Movie, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘Mahna Mahna meets Yippee Ki-Yay, with moments of true brilliance’
• Review: Little Women in Black, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘Another bonkers and brilliant Christmas mashup’