The Christmas Goblin – Review – ★★★★★
The Christmas Goblin is a glittering rainbow of cheeky surprises, empathy and riot grrrl attitude.
The Christmas Goblin | Marlowe Theatre
From the moment you walk in to the relaxed and chilled performance of The Christmas Goblin, the irresistible Brigitte Aphrodite (of whom we’ve been a fan for years!) makes you feel as if you’re on the sofa in your jammies. For us, this is the first show that really feels like it understands the relaxed concept, with the performers’ genuine care and empathy shining through.
The gig-theatre style approach, with an electric live band, is a refreshing twist on the tired panto or kids-book-tie-in show formats. There’s something really energising and invigorating about experiencing live music, even more so with an excitable family audience.
The writing is a contemporary wonder, dealing with the misery and joys of the festive season. The story, of lonely young Daphne finding an unusual friend during the festive season, is kid friendly and has some great twists, turns and tongue-in-cheek humour for the adults, alongside universal LOL moments exploring a father-daughter relationship, men being able (or comfortable) to express emotion, and the way kids can build confidence.
Georgia Bruce as the Goblin who discovers Christmas for the first time, and rising star Naomie Morris as the punky heroine Daphne, are a supremely talented duo, ably and enthusiastically backed by Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy. All combine effortlessly engaging dramatic performance with brilliant musicianship – and the original music is infectious and uplifting.
The show deserves to be back for the next festive season, and a relaxed venue like The Albany in Deptford (our local) would be perfect. We’ll take the credit if it happens!
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
