Deck the Stalls Review

December 17, 2024

Deck the Stalls Review

16th – 22nd December 2024

It’s reached that point in December when we’d all quite like to lock ourselves in the toilets and pretend everyone and everything doesn’t exist. Luckily, Lydia Kavanagh has written a hilarious, relatable and thought-provoking 60-minute play which is running at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith until 22nd December.

Christmas is always a complicated time of year. It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of year but emotions are high, the countdown is and there’s a lot of pressure to have the best time ever and to keep everyone happy.

“Lydia Kavanagh has written a hilarious, relatable and thought-provoking 60-minute play”

Twenty-something Serena, who is expertly played by Laura Rea, is juggling a whole range of emotions. She is gearing up for her first Christmas without her dad. She is also sleeping with her colleague who is married and is easily annoyed by the others so it’s no wonder she finds solace in the office toilets.

Deck The Stalls is an anti-panto Christmas show. There are no kids or forced participation but thespians will be thespians and if there’s a paper hat on the chair in front of them, you can be sure that they’ll put it on.

However, to see an alternative Christmas represented on screen or stage is rare. And just because you’ve cracked open a bottle of M&S Prosecco, it doesn’t mean things aren’t a bit rubbish.

While some of the office characters got lost within the one-woman show, morally vegan Ellen stuck out and not just because because she’s a hummus-eating leftie who reads The Guardian.

So, if you are looking for something a bit different to do this Christmas, head over to Riverside Studios and enjoy an hour of effortless entertainment!

Finally, if you think your December is going badly, at least you didn’t get a blow-up boyfriend wrapped in two empty Greggs packets for Secret Santa.