Comedy brings disastrous Christmas to life

FIGHT: Mary (Linda Voice) tries to break up a fight between her bratty adult daughters Stella, left (Jo Crimp), and Amanda (Yvonne Way).

Christmas can be a difficult time of year -- especially when you add an overwrought mother, two vindictive daughters, a trophy husband, an eccentric neighbour and an alcohol-addled psychologist to the mix.

These characters all appear in Harlequin Theatre's end-of-year spectacle, 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas, opening next week.

Written by Kiwi playwright Devon Williamson, the comedy explores dysfunctional family dynamics in the lead-up to the holiday season, and the lengths parents will go to keep the peace -- and their unruly kids under control.

Harlequin's interpretation stars an ensemble cast of six experienced Wairarapa actors, under the leadership of Vice President Carol Buck in her directorial debut.

Ms Buck said 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas was the ideal choice for the end of year show -- as the theme of disastrous family Christmases will resonate with audiences.

"Christmas is a stressful time for a lot of families," she said.

"No matter how well you plan, it feels like there's always something that goes wrong.

"I think people will be able to identify with the family dynamics that Christmas brings out, and see the humour in it."

The play tells the story of Mary (played by Linda Voice), a "lovely lady", recently widowed with two adult daughters -- the ditzy Amanda (Yvonne Way) and controlling, spiteful Stella (Jo Crimp).

"Her daughters are little pieces of work," Ms Buck said.

"Her husband was able to keep them under control, but they always make life miserable for her."

As Mary's last Christmas with her daughters was a "diabolical disaster", Mary decides it's time for a change -- and seeks some tips from Jean-Pierre, a depressive, alcoholic French psychologist .

When her children arrive, she attempts to put Jean-Pierre's solutions into action -- and "things get interesting".

Further adding to the hilarity are Dearest Desmond (James Riley), Stella's ineffectual husband, and Ivy (Janet Osborne), Mary's paranoid neighbour, who likes to keep an eye on everyone "for the common good".

"Anything else would be giving too much away," Ms Buck said.

"There's a few plot twists in there as well, which bring some good comedy."

Though Ms Buck has been involved with Harlequin since 1994, having been encouraged by then drama teacher Marilyn Bouzaid to join up as a prompt, this will be her first time directing a full-length play.

"I thought I'd been around long enough, and it was time to take the plunge.

"I've got a very talented cast and phenomenal backstage crew, so that makes it pretty stress-free."

'Twas the Fight Before Christmasruns from Thursday December 3 until Saturday December 12. Most shows start at 8pm, with a matinee on Sunday December 6 at 4pm.