Lovers Actually at The Other Palace Studio Review
I feel it in my fingers
I feel it in my toes
Christmas is all around me
And so the feeling grows
The mistletoe is hung, the cue cards are ready and this festive season, Lovers Actually lands at The Other Palace Studio, giving the nation’s favourite rom‑com a kick in the mistletoe.
Following last year’s record‑breaking parody Homo Alone, creators Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst return with another tongue-in-cheek take of a beloved Christmas film. Here, characters are often introduced by their film actors’ names, with playful nods to other roles—Rickman’s character Harry is dressed as Professor Snape, Natalie renamed Tiffany in a wink to Martine McCutcheon’s EastEnders past, and Liam Neeson reimagined in full action‑thriller mode. Yet the show still delivers the iconic moments: the cue cards, Emma Thompson’s tears, Hugh Grant’s dance. The audience awed, cheered and laughed in recognition.
The set reprises last year’s advent‑calendar design, with a giant bow stretched across the top. Two main doors and a scatter of windows become playful openings for props or appearances. Occasional glitches—a telephone slipping off its handle, a small Christmas tree refusing to stay upright—only added to the fun. Lighting shifts with the action: festive bursts of red and green during musical numbers, then a stark wash of red for the ‘Taken’ gag, a nod to Liam Neeson’s action‑thriller filmography.
With only four performers, the parody leans into quick changes and self‑aware humour. “Oh, he’s probably doing a costume change,” quips one actor about another A single wig serves three characters, a moustache threatens to fall off, and one actor turns his back mid‑scene to recover composure. Far from breaking the spell, these moments heightened the laughter and kept the pace lively.
The cast’s versatility is dazzling. Ross Clifton steps into the shoes of Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth as the Prime Minister, Harry and Jamie, who are respectively juggling charm, infidelity, and Portuguese lessons. His Snape impression drew consistent laughs, particularly his “obviously” delivered in Rickman’s drawl. Martha Pothen brings energy to Tiffany, Judy, Peter and even Rowan Atkinson’s gift‑wrapping cameo. Joseph Beach channels Billy Mack, John, and Liam Neeson – his wide‑eyed delivery a comic highlight. Holly Sumpton shifts seamlessly from Juliette’s awkward wedding videos to Emma Thompson’s heartbreak, Aurelia’s longing, young Sam’s innocence and even Trump. Her mannerisms were spot‑on throughout.
Lauren Hopkinson reworks beloved carols into debauched musical numbers—Beach and Clifton’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” a standout. Louie Whitemore’s costumes recreate iconic film looks, from Juliette’s hat to Karen’s red cardigan.
Set in 2003 (hello Nokia phone), the parody sprinkles in modern references—President Trump, Epstein—while poking fun at the film’s lack of diversity with new relationships and self‑aware asides. When the infamous “chubby” line is said the actors break the fourth wall to examine the script and Tiffany knocks someone with a door.
Audience participation adds mischief: one spectator received the infamous necklace gift (with a naughty twist), while another donned a Mexican hat and Nando’s menu during Jamie and Aurelia’s serenade.
Expect silliness, cruder jokes and sketches that sometimes stand alone (John and Judy, for instance). Whether you enjoy the show will depend on your sense of humour. To fully enjoy, familiarity with the film helps—otherwise some references may confuse.
By the finale, the whole room was singing and swaying to “Christmas Is All Around.” Cheeks sore from laughter, feet tapping to the beat, we left lighter, brighter, and more convinced that—yes—love is actually all around us. Be warned: you’ll be humming it all the way home.
Lovers Actually now playing at The Other Palace until 4th January.
Address: The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street
London, SW1E 5JA
Website: https://theotherpalace.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotherpalace
Written by Caitlin Neal
