What do you get whenever you mix old-fashioned selection, a fake TV present, viewers participation, and lashings of festive cheer? The Christmas Factor, in fact!
Returning to Seven Dials Playhouse following its rip-roaring run in 2024, The Christmas Factor is the work of duo Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser, additionally identified for his or her Mr Factor present. Half TV particular, half stay selection present, The Christmas Factor sees the pair rework the theatre into their very personal broadcast studio the place the viewers members are the particular visitors.
As quickly as you step into the primary home at Seven Dials Playhouse, you might be transported into the TV studio and greeted with QR codes to scan. This aids a number of the viewers participation afterward, with members of the gang being pulled on stage to participate in numerous video games and common hijinx, displaying their assist for crew sprout or crew parsnip alongside the best way.
The premise of the present itself is multimedia mayhem, with Tom and Owen aiming to ship their very personal festive particular. Additionally they stay stream with their buddy Puppet Steve who’s supposedly in Lapland to interview Santa, after we uncover that Previous Saint Nick has disappeared. All through the night, there are Christmas video games, video sketches, music, remote-controlled cameras (together with an unsuspecting viewers member turning into digicam three and carrying a head digicam for the remainder of the night), and loads of festive twists and turns.
The Christmas Factor channels the power of these traditional festive specials that not appear to exist, however is given a shiny 2025 makeover because of Tom and Owen’s slapstick humour, hilarious popular culture references – together with rewriting lyrics to many a well-known pop track – and ridiculous storyline. There’s a lot happening all through the present (maybe a bit of too a lot in all honesty) however this provides to the chaos of the night.
The present combines comedy with musical theatre, in addition to the abilities of members of the stay studio viewers. All through the present, we’re handled to numerous showstopping musical numbers, together with a parody of the long-lasting Sundown Boulevard walk-around which was a specific spotlight. There have been additionally video cameos a lots from the likes of Simon Lipkin, Iain Stirling, and extra, which introduced many laughs all through the viewers.
Tom and Owen ship festive razzle dazzle in abundance. The pair have an exquisite chemistry (which is to be anticipated contemplating their long-term friendship), and actually bounce off one another all through the night. Nevertheless, additionally they stand out in their very own proper, with Tom because the charming emcee, and Owen because the tech wizard.
Quite a lot of the present’s success does additionally rely upon the weather of viewers participation, and fortunately for this specific efficiency, the gang had been on prime type and showcased their skills all through the night. Among the highlights included a gargled model of the Nationwide Anthem, somebody doing the splits, and a grown man imitating a child crying.
One of many different huge wins for the present was the usage of know-how all through. From the preliminary QR codes which displayed viewers members’ feelings at the start, a scroll by way of a pretend Netflix setup, to the unbelievable video recap on the finish, know-how performs a giant half and actually elevates the efficiency.
My important qualm with The Christmas Factor is that it does really feel prefer it’s making an attempt to be too many issues without delay and at instances I felt like this took away from my enjoyment of the present. While the duo saved up excessive ranges of power throughout each acts, the primary half was undoubtedly stronger and there have been some bits which felt filler-y all through. Having stated this, you’ve bought to be a Grinch to not take pleasure in this chaotic Christmas extravaganza and it’s an important panto different for the festive season.
Should you’re not a fan of chaotic comedy and viewers participation then this present most likely received’t be for you. Nevertheless, if you happen to love a whole lot of silliness and don’t take your self too severely then The Christmas Factor is the right technique to countdown to the large day.
The Christmas Factor performs at Seven Dials Playhouse till December 20. Click on right here for remaining tickets.
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