Hell Up Cabaret
Overview:
Originally titled The Goes Wrong Cabaret, this production has been renamed to avoid conflicts with the well-known and copyrighted “Goes Wrong” brand.
Written by: Chris Ager and Tamara Rosenwyn
Directed by: Tamara Rosenwyn
Produced by: The Lizard Amateur Dramatics Society (now LAFTA). All rights reserved.
Props & Costume by: Gillian Higgs
Content Advisory: This play contains strong language and references of a sexual nature.
Synopsis:
Hell Up Cabaret marks the inaugural production of the Lizard Amateur Dramatics Society. Set against the backdrop of a village revue, the play opens with Domestic Daphne, the village hall cleaner, who has always aspired to be a dancer. She engages the audience with a heartfelt performance reflecting on her career, lamenting her role as a cleaner who can only dust the stage rather than perform on it.
Next, we meet the comedic duo, Elf and Safety, who are determined to address any health and safety concerns that might threaten the cast or audience. Through song and dance, they humorously critique the extremes of political correctness, offering guidance on safely executing seasonal traditions—such as correctly pulling a Christmas cracker while wearing a hard hat and adhering to proper GDPR protocols for letters addressed to Father Christmas.
The proceedings are interrupted by the brash compere, Bruce Balding, who is primarily focused on maximizing profits from the annual Christmas cabaret. Bruce promotes local sponsors and intersperses each act with tongue-in-cheek advertisements for various businesses, oblivious to the double entendres present in these amusing promotions, such as the bush-trimming wonders of Darren’s Garden Maintenance.
The main act features Jenna and Jimmy, cast as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children. However, costume confusion ensues: Jimmy, an older gentleman, mistakenly arrives in a provocative Mrs. Claus outfit, while Jenna dons an oversized Father Christmas costume, complete with a fake pot-belly and beard, sourced from a charity shop. Frustration mounts as Bruce Balding watches Jenna and Jimmy struggle with their roles, including the distribution of Christmas raffle prizes. Domestic Daphne, yearning for the spotlight, comically confuses herself with a child, reflecting on her childhood dreams.
The play includes various fictional charitable organisations, such as the Wonky Donkey Sanctuary. There are also sketches throughout such as a whimsical performance by Mariah Carehome, who performs acrobatics with a zimmer frame, and a sketch titled “Who Do You Think You Aren’t?” which adds to the chaos as one of the main actors goes missing, prompting the cast to select an audience member to read the lines.
As the production spirals into disarray, Elf and Safety repeatedly rush in, attempting to enforce health and safety regulations. Jenna and Jimmy are unable to fulfil their responsibilities, and each sketch is plagued by absurd technical mishaps and moral dilemmas. Ultimately, Domestic Daphne succumbs to intoxication, collapsing onto the raffle table as gifts are comically hurled into the audience, all while Bruce Balding watches in exasperation.
Originally titled The Goes Wrong Cabaret, this production has been renamed to avoid conflicts with the well-known and copyrighted “Goes Wrong” brand.
Written by: Chris Ager and Tamara Rosenwyn
Directed by: Tamara Rosenwyn
Produced by: The Lizard Amateur Dramatics Society (now LAFTA). All rights reserved.
Props & Costume by: Gillian Higgs
Content Advisory: This play contains strong language and references of a sexual nature.
Synopsis:
Hell Up Cabaret marks the inaugural production of the Lizard Amateur Dramatics Society. Set against the backdrop of a village revue, the play opens with Domestic Daphne, the village hall cleaner, who has always aspired to be a dancer. She engages the audience with a heartfelt performance reflecting on her career, lamenting her role as a cleaner who can only dust the stage rather than perform on it.
Next, we meet the comedic duo, Elf and Safety, who are determined to address any health and safety concerns that might threaten the cast or audience. Through song and dance, they humorously critique the extremes of political correctness, offering guidance on safely executing seasonal traditions—such as correctly pulling a Christmas cracker while wearing a hard hat and adhering to proper GDPR protocols for letters addressed to Father Christmas.
The proceedings are interrupted by the brash compere, Bruce Balding, who is primarily focused on maximizing profits from the annual Christmas cabaret. Bruce promotes local sponsors and intersperses each act with tongue-in-cheek advertisements for various businesses, oblivious to the double entendres present in these amusing promotions, such as the bush-trimming wonders of Darren’s Garden Maintenance.
The main act features Jenna and Jimmy, cast as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children. However, costume confusion ensues: Jimmy, an older gentleman, mistakenly arrives in a provocative Mrs. Claus outfit, while Jenna dons an oversized Father Christmas costume, complete with a fake pot-belly and beard, sourced from a charity shop. Frustration mounts as Bruce Balding watches Jenna and Jimmy struggle with their roles, including the distribution of Christmas raffle prizes. Domestic Daphne, yearning for the spotlight, comically confuses herself with a child, reflecting on her childhood dreams.
The play includes various fictional charitable organisations, such as the Wonky Donkey Sanctuary. There are also sketches throughout such as a whimsical performance by Mariah Carehome, who performs acrobatics with a zimmer frame, and a sketch titled “Who Do You Think You Aren’t?” which adds to the chaos as one of the main actors goes missing, prompting the cast to select an audience member to read the lines.
As the production spirals into disarray, Elf and Safety repeatedly rush in, attempting to enforce health and safety regulations. Jenna and Jimmy are unable to fulfil their responsibilities, and each sketch is plagued by absurd technical mishaps and moral dilemmas. Ultimately, Domestic Daphne succumbs to intoxication, collapsing onto the raffle table as gifts are comically hurled into the audience, all while Bruce Balding watches in exasperation.