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I Miss The Mountains: Fly More Than You Fall @Swkplay

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Losing a parent when you’re still figuring out who you are and your place in the world seems like a bummer of a topic for a musical. But somehow, Fly More Than You Fall tackles grief and loss with a light touch, catchy music and enthusiastic performances. While it may not offer great insight into the exploration of grief, it gives pause for thought and a few laughs on the way. After all, death doesn’t take a holiday, and nobody gets out of here alive. We just hope it doesn’t happen too soon. It’s currently playing at Southwark Playhouse Elephant .  We first meet Malia as she prepares for summer writers' school. She aspires to be a writer and has a story in development. Encouraged by her mother to keep going, she is looking forward to the summer. But the summer school is cut short when her mother is diagnosed with stage four cancer. Back home so her mother can spend her last days with her family, Malia has to grow up quickly and find her voice while watching her mother slip away.  T

The best little warehouse in England: The Night Before Christmas @SWKplay

If you’re not into the Christmas spirit, you might be into Christmas dust. It’s the joyful powder the little elves put everywhere and it’s addictive. And distracts you from the shitty life you’re having right now... Anthony Neilson’s dark anti-festive comedy is having its first revival at the Southwark Playhouse.

Nothing’s off limits in this tale set in some out of town warehouse on Christmas Eve. Gary (Douggie McMeekin) has called his mate Simon (Michael Salami) for help. He’s caught some little bloke dressed up as an Elf trying to break in (Dan Starkey). He’s tied him up with Christmas lights and not sure what to do. But as they debate calling the police, a prostitute by the name of Cherry (Unique Spencer) comes calling. She’s after some Powers Ranger figures for her son’s Christmas present. It’s payment for the blowjob she gave Gary earlier. And nobody is sure if the Elf is who he says he is, or just a junkie trying to get his next fix.

That pretty much sets the tone in this short, dark comedy about the search for the true meaning of Christmas. The cast are hilarious as they riff on some of the more demented aspects of Christmas. There’s some nice updates to the piece here. Gary’s stock seems to consist mostly of stolen Amazon deliveries (something we call all identify now). And anti-Christmas tale, that actually becomes sentimental. Even if it isn’t to all tastes.

The cast at the end of each performance take up a collection for the homeless charity Centrepoint. Which is a chance to make a worthwhile contribution to a charity that supports young people to get off the streets. Be sure to have some spare change on hand at the end.

Directed by Alex Sutton, The Night Before Christmas is at the Southwark Playhouse until 29 December. Don’t confuse it for Seussical playing next door unless you want to mess with the minds of the little people you’re taking to that. Merry Christmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Photos by Darren Bell

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