There are some that believe that The Muppets’ take on A Christmas Carol is the best version of Dickens’s seasonal tale – even better than the original. There’s still something quietly subversive seeing classic characters reimagined as familiar puppets. In Brian Henson’s 1992 film Dickens’s sentimentalism is moderated by some offbeat humour, which means that it’s earned its cult status. So a sing-a-long screening with audience participation encouraged seems like a perfect festive treat.
Sh!t Theatre have been organising these Muppet sing-a-longs for over a decade now, and plenty of fans, both of the film and of the theatre company’s Louise Mothersole and Becca Biscuit, come back each year to throw cotton wool balls up in the air every time one of the Muppets falls headfirst into the snow. Apples are held up above heads when Gonzo’s market stall is first seen, keys are jangled where doorbells are struck and shots of whisky are poured out when the church bells chime. For those who like this kind of thing – and there are plenty of similar events at the Prince Charles cinema – it’s a hoot.
The only downside is that it’s just not very comfortable. While Louise and Becca settle down into comfy beanbags at the front of the stage, the audience is squeezed into tight rows where the hard seats seem designed for the slenderest supermodels from the 1990s or for, perhaps, Kermit himself. Every time someone wants to go the bar the whole row must stand up to let them out. Bah Humbug! indeed.
For those coming to see Sh!t Theatre rather than the movie, Louise and Becca showcase their idiosyncratic approach to performance in an introduction to the film, presenting a rundown of famous actors who Dickens supposedly said he would like to play him in the future. Some special guests, who talk about their own Christmas presents (in both senses of the word), are followed by some very adult humour that make sure that this show is definitely not one for the kids.
Runs until 19 December 2022
