GWYNETH GOES SKIING at Live Theatre

★★★★

“a masterfully silly and creative show”

‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing’ by Linus Karp and Joseph Martin is an inviting, fun, and creative dive into the oddities of a 2023 court case between actress Gwyneth Paltrow and optician…I mean, optometrist Terry Sanderson over a ski collision in Utah. Chock-full of g-winning puns and musical numbers, and a strong cast and crew, it is easy to see why Awkward Productions bring in a crowd.

An audience interactive heavy show, this whirlwind of celebrity nonsense and oddity will hurtle you onto uncertain slopes and chaotic courtrooms and have you bracing for impact. From hurling snowballs at actors to participating in a very crucial jury vote, you are brought into this very unpredictable world from the get-go. Part of the key charm of the show is the willingness to include the audience every step of the way, on and off-stage! The production team excel in casting such a keen team of audience members pre-show to aid Martin and Karp in achieving such hilariously uncomfortable moments throughout. Any technical hitches or audience hesitancy are dealt with deftly by Martin and Karp as they portray both of their uniquely peculiar characters. Both nail the stylised physicality and voice of their characters and match each other’s awkwardness nicely.

Karp and Martin light up the stage with their enthusiasm and comedic timing- eloquently telling such a ludicrous story in an engaging and accessible way. Rocking up to this show with little to no Paltrow proficiency is beyond fine, as exposition and characterisation tell you pretty much all you need to know. It is a shame that some of the more “online” humour don’t always pack a punch. Lots of references feel either a patch outdated or a tad too specific for some of the audience to catch on, mean some jokes feel somewhat too on the nose. A few moments stagnate with dramatic tension and drawn-out punchlines, particularly towards the end of the show, however, this is not to detract from the raucous laughter the team garner from the audience at every stage of Paltrow’s turbulent tale of skiing and scam beauty care products.

Ciara Pidgeon’s dead-pan stage management is another excellent facet to ‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing’. As props and set inventively build the silliness and spontaneity of the performance, Pidgeon’s timing, facial expressions, and execution are marvellous. Recurring gags are paid off even more so by the creative set and prop use; a particular highlight is the portrayal of Paltrow’s daughter, Apple. The audio-visual elements of the show equally keep the show chugging along nicely, with guest appearances from the likes of Trixie Matel, and inspiring graphic design by Alice Gorman. Often laughs are picked up from simply hilarious audio-visuals or sound design (by Roly Botha). Leland’s musical numbers are also a brilliant aspect of the night. Whilst the songs at times get a little bit repetitive, they are catchy and brimming of tight comedy.

Awkward Productions ‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing’ is a masterfully silly and creative show that will put you in the right mood before, during and after the show. If you’re looking for a warm, welcome and camp night of theatre, and don’t mind a light-hearted bit of millennial humour, this might be the show for you.

GWYNETH GOES SKIING at Live Theatre then UK tour continues

Reviewed on 13th November 2024

by Molly Knox

Photography by Jonny Ruff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024

GWYNETH GOES SKIING

GWYNETH GOES SKIING

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