Before we get began, there’s no argument: era-defining 1988 motion traditional, Die Hard fairly positively is a Christmas film. Not solely is it set on Christmas Eve, Bruce Willis as cop John McClane is a diamond-in-the-rough Santa combating for his household as everybody round him loses their heads. Or will get them blown off. It’s virtually Elf, people. It’s subsequently a intelligent transfer for The Kings Head to programme Yippee Ki Yay’s distinctive efficiency poetry model of the movie this vacation season. The iconic pub theatre must be celebrated for giving Londoners a novel alternative of festive viewing. That is…
Rating
Excellent
Do your self a favour, forego panto and A Christmas Carol this festive season and revisit a traditional Nineteen Eighties motion blockbuster.
Before we get began, there’s no argument: era-defining 1988 motion traditional, Die Hard fairly positively is a Christmas film. Not solely is it set on Christmas Eve, Bruce Willis as cop John McClane is a diamond-in-the-rough Santa combating for his household as everybody round him loses their heads. Or will get them blown off. It’s virtually Elf, people.
It’s subsequently a intelligent transfer for The Kings Head to programme Yippee Ki Yay’s distinctive efficiency poetry model of the movie this vacation season. The iconic pub theatre must be celebrated for giving Londoners a novel alternative of festive viewing. That is to not say there isn’t a lot to take pleasure in any time of 12 months. In truth, the present is already scheduled for a post-yuletide tour
Yippee Ki Yay is a solo recreation by self-proclaimed Die Hard uber-fan and London Poetry Slam winner, Richard Marsh. He offers us all of the motion and characters, thrills, spills and wisecracks of the unique which, it seems, lends itself surprisingly effectively to poetry. Marsh self-consciously presents McClane’s derring-do as heroic within the classical sense. Taking his lead from Ancient Greek epics, he liberally peppers his textual content with examples, name-checking Achilles, Icarus, Helen, Cassandra and others. Even when it’s achingly self-aware, the textual content is fortuitously by no means leaden or overly literary. It’s too busy making us snort. A second when, as McClane, Marsh factors out the failings within the verse is among the night’s funniest.
Marsh’s textual content could be sufficient to impress, however he’s a totally partaking performer too. His timing is impeccable and viewers interactions totally charming. A self-confessed dork in a vest? What’s to not love? Bruce Willis’s drawl and Alan Rickman’s nasal tones are used to nice impact. Voice and accent coach Alice White must take a bow as a result of each, on the face of it, appear unlikely from our mild-mannered poet. Director Hal Chambers and motion director Emma Webb be sure each ounce of enjoyable is had with the staging. We root for gun-toting Marsh as he takes out the toy bear that represents henchman Tony, for instance. There is a timeless simplicity and universality to such storytelling. Despite spectacular mild and sound cues, that is efficiency in its purest type.
Amongst the extraordinary film motion, there’s a parallel private narrative. Through references to the movie, we study of Marsh’s relationship with Jenn – the lady he falls in love with, marries, has kids with and virtually loses. It’s heart-warming stuff however didn’t all the time really feel overly welcome. The hostages at Nakatomi tower nonetheless want rescuing. Shouldn’t we head again there?
It all comes collectively in the long run although. Buoyed by our goodwill, Marsh goes so far as rewriting the movie’s ending to convey his story strands to a satisfying shut. All in all, for those who like your motion films with coronary heart and your poetry sensible, quick and humorous, Yippee Ki Yay will show a welcome deal with this Christmas.
Written by: Richard Marsh
Directed & Dramaturg by: Hal Chambers
Movement Direction by: Emma Webb
Lighting Design by: Robbie Butler
Sound Design by: Ben Hudson
Produced by: James Seabright
Yippee Ki Yay performs at King’s Head Theatre till 31 December. Further data and bookings could be discovered right here.