Some theatre shows can be appreciated by being described. Others, on the other hand, just need to be experienced. Hold On To Your Butts is a prime example of the latter.
On paper, a screen to stage adaptation of the dinosaur classic Jurassic Park shouldn’t work. Not without a big animatronics budget, the latest in visual effects and a host of instruments to recreate that iconic John Williams score.
As the name suggests, the Recent Cutbacks ensemble have none of that. However, this is a joyous, silly and, surprisingly, accurate retelling of Spielberg’s masterpiece.
The trio of performers on stage rely on physical theatre, the bare minimum of creatively used props and sound effects. They create magic.
Anyone with an aversion to lo-fi storytelling might well be concerned to take their seats and find a relatively bare stage aside from a wobbly projector that wouldn’t look out of place in a school hall, a few fold-up chairs, a traffic cone and a table laden with random items.
But, within minutes, even the most cynical of theatregoer will surely be convinced by everyone’s favourite bit: the trailers. Green screen suits and slinky toys are all you need to make people laugh out loud at The Matrix. Even the Pearl & Dean advert gets the Recent Cutbacks treatment.
Projector rolled aside and we are onto the main event.
This is broadly a sped-up recreation of the 1993 movie we all know and love. Anyone who hasn’t seen the film will probably struggle to get full enjoyment out of the madness.
The sequence when the main cast arrive in the Costa Rica park is a prime example of how the show works. A spinning umbrella becomes a helicopter. The stirring music becomes acapella warbling. The iconic falls are recreated using a cocktail umbrella and a water bottle.
All three actors are clearly in their element. The ticket fee is worth it alone for Jack Baldwin’s Jeff Goldblum impression. Chaos.
The highlight of the night, though, is the foley from Charlie Ives. Squelches, gulps, plops, pings, clunks, clicks and computer boops and beeps. There isn’t a sound they can’t conjure up and they are all fabulous.
Some moments are extra special. Who knew traffic cones, party hats and bike helmets could so easily become dinosaur parts? Using picture frames decreasing in size to represent a cinematic close-up is genius.
This show has been performed in various ways and places for over a decade now and it shows. In a good way. The interaction and understanding between the actors is lovely. The involvement of the audience and environment they’re acting in is clever.
Every favourite moment of the well-loved film is treated with care and good humour. Recent Cutbacks had the audience in the palm of their prop-filled hands. Low budget, but very high value entertainment.
Playing until 15th February 2025. For tickets and more information: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/245//hold-on-to-your-butts.
Reviewer: Peter Ruddick
Reviewed: 12th February 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 4 out of 5.
