Writers: Neil Hurst & Jodie Prenger
Director: Alex Jackson
Perhaps the most adored Christmas film of all time, yet heavily slated on its release, Love, Actually has continued to retain its spot as a cult classic despite not initially receiving rave reviews. A film which, in theory, shouldn’t work, but against all odds has won over the hearts of families for the past 20 years. Writing team Neil Hurst and Jodie Prenger see an opportunity to translate the much-adored film to the stage, but with a parodical twist. Could this newly imagined version, Lovers Actually, win over audiences from the get-go, or will it have a similar experience to its movie counterpart?
The plot line is much of a copy and paste of the film, but with the addition of cruder jokes and musical numbers, the show is a whirlwind two hours. Priding itself as “The ultimate naughty musical parody”, it really leans into this “frat house” humour, and depending on your humour type, will determine how much you enjoy this show. The commitment to this humour does not waver, and despite some funny lines, it mainly feels overly forced into the show and is hiding the many issues with the storyline and depth of the show.
Although the film does not necessarily have the most solid of plot lines, the show’s storyline is even more confusing to follow, making it difficult to understand how all these stories interlink. It’d perhaps work better as a collection of short sketches, as they all feel quite disjointed and confused, but as individual pieces, they would perhaps find more merit.
The addition of some 20 songs also fills the show with energy and comedy. All reworked Christmas classics, some of which iconically feature in the original film, Hurst and Prenger bring more crude joy to the show. Although the writing is not the most high-brow, it does offer a lot of laughs, even if not to your taste in humour. Perhaps more range in the comedy style could provide greater strength to the show, as the repetitive nature of the humour keeps the show on one level throughout, which is hard to maintain.
The most successful part of the show is the incredibly strong ensemble: Holly Sumpton, Martha Pothen, Ross Clifton and Joseph Beach. Each of the four provides perfectly over-the-top portrayals of their characters, over 14 roles in total – not one fails to miss the mark. From a bottom-teeth talking Keira Knightley to Alan Rickman leaning into his Harry Potter days, the cast provides excellent parody versions of the much-loved cast. Recognising the humour of the show, the four really go all out to commit to the cause, and it really pays off.
Alex Jackson’s staging of the show is cleverly curated for the space, a very small corner stage, but used to its maximum potential. Topped with a giant red bow, the stage sets the tone for the exuberant nature of the evening. Hidden behind different segments of the back walls are multiple cubby holes, doors and tables which work to pinpoint scene changes in a simple but effective way whilst adding some brilliantly humorous moments.
Jackson’s take on the script makes good use of the material, and his understanding of each character’s portrayal is translated brilliantly to the stage. It excellently leans into the parody and keeps up a strong tempo across the show.
Overall, Lovers Actually offers some strong ideas and fun laughs, but is more of a work-in-progress piece. Your humour levels will really determine how much enjoyment you take from the show; however, there are other elements which could be strengthened, such as the script and flow of the show. Nonetheless, the show is a very welcome light relief addition to the festive line-up on offer in London this Christmas and is sure to entertain audiences for the remainder of its run.
Runs until 4 January 2026
