Party Season Review: musical statues and emojis shroud childhood trauma
- Wiktoria Mordon
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
9 April 2026 I 19:00 I Royal & Derngate, Northampton (UK Tour)
⭐⭐⭐ I PR - Invite
Three parties. One weekend. The invitations have been sent, and there is no going back... As a Lowry, The Wardrobe Ensemble and Royal & Derngate co-production, Party Season opens the first leg of its UK tour in Northampton. Burrowing into themes of parenthood, privilege and societal niceties, childhood trauma is shrouded by a veneer of vibrant colours. It may take a while for audiences to grasp the play's mismatched styles, however its quick humour and likeable characters settle audiences into familiar territory. Just whatever you do, don't join the WhatsApp group!
Directed by Helena Seneca & Jesse Jones, the ensemble engage with a sense of play. Sequences are inspired by games such as musical statues that prove promising, where body-led scenes excel. The script however can be quite literal, where it relies on describing Xander's (Tom England) feelings to us, not always necessary for an age-rated 14+ production.
It is somewhat of a dramatic soup, combining elements of expressive movement, naturalism and clowning that don't necessarily compliment one-another, having the potential to take audiences out of the world. If ever we lose track, we are grounded once again by the Entertainer (James Newton), whose emcee-ing skills are delightful, setting the tone of an embarrassing father figure to Xander.
Decorated with colourful paint splatters, Bronia Housman's design is minimalist and boxy, reminiscent of a present. Additional set pieces and the Entertainer's case are also in this pattern, as a constant presence of Xander's father. Familial bonds are tested, where final moments see characters sat around a small table, as the Entertainer completes his final trick: the disappearing father.
This scene in conjunction with Chris Swain's lighting design is a marvel to watch, as Newton is backlit against a cloth, before this drops to reveal the empty space behind. Swain's lighting ensures all atmospheres are thoughtfully considered, to the fever-dream of the party games, to the sobering realism of others in dreary tones.
Most importantly, Party Season revels in its comedy. Not only with slapstick, but with cheesy dad jokes and the millennial humour of using emojis in group chats. Actors embody emojis, if you can imagine it?! Through posture and facial expression, we instantly recognise their intention as viewers roar with laughter. And of course with the dreaded thumbs-up, audiences most connect where they can see themselves, as The Wardrobe Ensemble devise something universally appealing, cemented in today's society.
Where adult performers often multi-roll as children simply by kneeling, its humour only stretches so far. Although where you don't take this production too seriously, Party Season's larger-than-life attitude dares to confront what we don't talk about in our own childhoods, with comedic elements making the subject matter manageable and accessible. Touring to Oxford, Worthing, Salford and Bristol, join the Entertainer to dissect a lifetime gone by.
UK Tour Information & Tickets: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/made-in-northampton/made-northampton-tour/
