“Chaotic, colourful, and completely Christmassy – The Christmas Thing is the interactive festive variety show you never knew you needed!”
The Christmas Thing, performed and created by Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser, was definitely an end of year Christmas uplift I never knew I needed. The Christmas Thing was set in a TV studio, or something that resembled it very similarly, both Tom and Owen dressed in matching colourful suits, controlled this said called studio. With this sort-of podcast, TV feel to it, Owen Visser, magically controlled all media live. All sorts of strange memorabilia and bits and bobs could be found onstage and around the studio, all with its own nieche purpose. The studio reminded me of an early 2000’s children’s networking show, the ones in which the TV presenters would talk in between children’s programs. This made me feel at home and comfortable, I was settled in for an evening of a real variety show.
Majority of the audience members entered the seating and scanned a QR code, giving a little bit of information about themselves on a document, which then got uploaded onto a screen. With this last minute and random information, Tom and Owen were able to base their entire show off of the audience’s talents and random party tricks. Not to mention, on top of all of that, storylines patching up here and there, adding into one big mission to stop Krampus, a Christmas demon from stealing the Christmas thing. Audience members had the option whether or not they wanted to join in in Christmas games and activities playing for points, sometimes playing with each other, sometimes against too, even one of the audience members became a cameraman for the entire show, wearing a small camera on a helmet.
It was a truly endearing performance from both Tom and Owen. I felt safe within their presence and trusted them to carry whatever may happen on stage with them. Albeit, there was a lot of risk and there were a lot of things that could have gone wrong but due to their slight roll-with-it-attitude, I would not of noticed if something had per se gone wrong. Their adoring and uplifting spirits as performers were applaudable and extremely entertaining.
This was a very technical performance. And without wishing for it, I could see potential for technical issues arising, although thankfully nothing did happen. This brought a whole new feeling to the performance. And although there were plenty of pre-recorded segments, which was much appreciated, it felt like this performance was in real time. Anything could’ve happened, or at least I was led to believe.
I felt the sensation of being genuinely stunned by the grand finale at the end. Shaking my head in constant disbelief. In fact, I felt the sensation of being stunned multiple times, not always by big reveals or dramatic entrances and exits but by how colourful, loud, chaotic and fast paced this performance was.
To sum up, The Christmas Thing, the multimedia show all about participating in audience based activities and Christmas themed games, this show was a joy to watch and to be a part of. I left that performance feeling warmth in my heart and satisfied with this fun, Christmassy, whirlwind of a show.