The Wardrobe Theatre to resurrect smash-hit dark comedy mash-up for Christmas

Those that remember, will not easily forget. But for those who weren’t there the first time, in its old setting above the White Bear pub, The Wardrobe Theatre is thankfully bringing one of its most-loved shows back for an extended Christmas season in 2022/23.

MDH: Puppets Do a Movie will return eight years after it first thrilled audiences with its dark, lo-fi thriller movie parody mash-up; a runaway success of a show lauded for its absurdity, its puppetry, its songs and its many killer lines.

Festive theatre-going audiences may recognise the team from the many anarchic Christmas shows they have delivered since: Little Women in Black, Reservoir Mogs, and Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears amongst them.

Andrew Kingston – photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

Andrew Kingston was one of the team who devised and performed in the original production, and he will feature again in the 2022 cast. He was ideally placed to give Bristol 24/7 some insights about the show’s evolution:

Can you give us an outline of MDH: Puppets Do a Movie?

“This Christmas we’re very, very excited to be resurrecting one of The Wardrobe Theatre’s most popular adult-comedy shows. Originally made in 2014, this year’s show will be an anarchic, absurd, dark-comedy, lo-fi action/thriller parody bonanza with original songs, plastic machine guns, and lots and lots and lots of puppets.”

For anyone who saw it the first time it’s not a hard question to answer, but why bring this one back?

“The original was the last Christmas show we made in the old Wardrobe Theatre space and was incredibly successful. We felt that after so many years it was time to bring it to a larger audience. It’s also one of the shows that people seem to remember with the most affection, so it just felt like the time was right to be brave enough and have a go at resurrecting it.

“It comes with an element of risk though of course. As we did with Oedipuss In Boots when that was reimagined, you inevitably end up changing things and there’s a chance you might take something great and spoil it. But with Oedipuss the response was amazing, and the show was definitely improved upon, so let’s hope we can do the same with MDH!”

MDH – photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

When the show ran originally at the old Wardrobe Theatre, the stage to work with was a lot smaller. What else has changed in the remounted run?

“A lot of that is to be discovered, but the dimensions at The Wardrobe Theatre provide new challenges and opportunities. We played with scale a lot in the original run, and I think we’ll be doing the same again this time.

“I think there’s a good chance the show will run a little longer as well, and we might get to explore the world of some of the characters a little more.”

Given that you’re also using puppets, the play is perhaps more than a mash-up of familiar stories. Is it one of your most ambitious creations, would you say?

“Yes that’s true, it isn’t a mash up of two known narratives as we have done with other shows. Often we will have a new element thrown into the mix – and with MDH, it was puppetry. Back then it was a great opportunity to learn new skills and we had some fantastic puppetry experience already in the cast, as well as puppet making skills.

“This time round, I think we can expect the puppetry to be more ambitious, especially in handling some of the action sequences. Back when we made it we were kind of fearless; we didn’t really expect anybody to come and see it, and at the outset we were basically making it for free. When it then sold out really quickly I think we knew we had something potentially special on our hands.

“In all Wardrobe Theatre shows I’ve been involved in we’ve always had some kind of constriction, be it having to use puppets, a very limited budget (in the old days!) or a well-established narrative to tread carefully around. We’ve always seen these constrictions as opportunities rather than problems.

“So with MDH, I suppose the ambition lies in seeing just how far can we take it, and working out how creative we can get in telling the story using the set and puppets.”

MDH – photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

Can you take us through the main characters, and your cast? Are they largely actors who have experience in Wardrobe Theatre shows?

“I think you’ll have to wait and see on the characters, but let’s just say that there will be some familiar faces for those who saw the original (and for those who didn’t)! It should all be pretty anarchic and have a very strong Wardrobe Theatre Christmas show feel.

“In terms of the cast, Harry Humberstone and I were in the original run, and we also both appeared in Oedipuss In Boots and Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears. You might also recognise Harry also from Rocky Shock Horror.

“Corina Bona was originally in the MDH cast back in 2014 but unfortunately can’t be in the show this time; we’re delighted though that Kim Heron is joining us for 2022. She was in the touring version of Rocky Shock Horror and brings with her a wealth of puppetry and comedy experience.”

Without giving any spoilers away, are there particular sections that you’re most looking forward to playing every night over the run?

“This is very tough to answer without spoilers! So for those that know, I will simply say that I have always wanted to be a receptionist. Good.”

MDH: Puppets Do a Movie – show poster: The Wardrobe Theatre

In terms of mood, humour and atmosphere, what tends to be different about your Christmas shows?

“The main aim for all nine of The Wardrobe Theatre’s Christmas shows – from the original Home Alonely in 2011 through to 2021’s Little Women In Black – has been just to make a really fun night out that big groups of friends can really enjoy together.

“We try to make shows that we would want to watch. And after the nightmare of the last couple of years, there are few shows that I would want to watch or make again beside MDH.”

MDH: Puppets Do A Movie is at The Wardrobe Theatre from November 25-January 22, 2023, at 7.45pm, and 2pm matinee shows on December 3 and 10, and January 7, 14 and 21. For more information and tickets, visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com.

Main photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

Read more: Joyful, silly, interactive and celebratory: inside The Wardrobe Theatre

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