Christmas Cracker play

Published on 14th December 2006 in Ents

Singing, dancing, ugly sisters and choruses of 'he's behind you' there aren't but John Godber's first-ever Christmas production has an unsugared magic all of its own.

Set first in Hull's A and E Department, then on St Charles' Bridge in Prague, Christmas Crackers combines gritty reality with fantasies that could only be dreamt of in December.

Security guard Keith (Robert Angell) hears it all from his position outside the hospital which, incidentally is a huge credit to the set designers.

Complaints about foreign doctors, NHS waiting times and incomprehensible boyfriends incorporated into animated banter are further evidence of Godber's talent for putting what's being said on the street onto Hull Truck's stage. So often do you think: "That's exactly it" - and so often on Monday night did the audience roar with laughter.

Everyone from a broken clown to harassed nurses pass through the doors of A and E, and a Catherine Tate-esque prostitute is particularly well played.

When nurse Kath (Una McNulty) is mysteriously left tickets for a city break, she and her colleague Holly (Any Thompson) head for Prague and the surrealism begins.

Although the change is a little disjointed at first, and prompted my play partner to wish for a return to A and E, the later scenes on St Charles' Bridge capture a childlike sense of 'can happen'.

Romance, perfectly-fitting shoes and downright craziness abound in the city of 100 spires - until Godber takes us back to life outside A and E again.

The writer/playwright said he didn't want to make Christmas Crackers too 'sugary' and a dark Punch and Judy show (which fits in better than one would expect) and the final scenes ensures it isn't.

Shrewd observation and a dose of feel-good dreaming make the play an original alternative to pantomime and, but for a few moments of awkardness, the play is a Christmas number one. Roxy Winterborne

Christmas Crackers is at Hull Truck until Saturday January 20. Call the box office on 01482 323638 or use the online booking service at www.hulltruck.co.uk

Photo: A motley crew pass through the doors of Hull's A and D Department in Christmas Crackers. For left to right are: Robert Hudson, Robert Angell, Una McNulty and Matthew Booth. Photo (14-12-29 SU) courtesy of Ian Tilton Photography.