Sh!t-faced Showtime's A Pissedmas Carol Review - a chaotic, audience-unifying comedy
- Emma Knott
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
11 December 2025 I 19:00 I Leicester Square Theatre, London
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I PR - Invite
Back for their sixth Christmas, the Sh!t-faced Showtime crew once again stumble gloriously into London's Leicester Square. Known for tackling Shakespeare, they reunite for their version of Dickens' timeless A Christmas Carol. We follow festive killjoy Scrooge who is dragged into festive cheer by three determined spirits... helped tonight by a generous splash of actual spirits!
Leicester Square Theatre is a lovely smaller-capacity venue tucked behind the bustle of the West End. It was my first visit, and I really admired the space. Big enough for a buzzing crowd and yet intimate enough to feel as if everyone's in on the same joke. Directed by Katy Baker, this is exactly the kind of setting a chaotic, audience-unifying comedy thrives in.
The performance is hosted by man of the hour Charles Dickens - well, James Murfitt, the producer - who is naturally funny and instantly sets the tone. He begins proceedings by handing out instruments for the audience to use whenever our main character needs topping up with tipple. Then, with a perfectly straight face, he launces into the authentic novel: "Marley was dead, to begin with...".
The narrative beings as we know it: Bob Cratchit complaining about his boss, Victorian London looking suitably gloomy, and strong costume designs from Lucy Fowler. But then, Ebenezer Scrooge takes an intoxicated bumble onto the stage. Played by Ashley Gerlach, he enters as the only cast member made absolutely sh!t-faced from four-hours of getting drunk before the show. This responsibility rotates across the run between the cast of five, to ensure a healthy process. With world-class humour, Gerlach's stage time is hysterical, offering razor-sharp quips through the haze of drunkenness.
The production cleverly weaves Dickens' original artistry with the chaos of a tipsy, classically trained performer who giggles, interrupts, derails scenes and occasionally forgets where he is. Charlotte Brooke's musical direction throws in both classic Christmas carols and modern hits such as Wham!'s Last Christmas and East 17's Stay Another Day.
I'm not entirely convinced everything is improvised - the ensemble are suspiciously prepared for all of the nonsense. For example, Scrooge confesses his love for Marley, leading perfectly into "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart... but the very next day, I realised you were gay". A moment that feels too perfectly timed to be disorderly chaos, yet still brilliant.
None of the above takes away from the enjoyment; in fact, I was in stitches! Dan Quirke, who plays a variety of characters including an unforgettable Mrs Fezziwig, is a standout - especially using his playful affinity with the audience. Quirke's interactions with a poor, unsuspecting Mr Fezziwig plucked from the audience is a streak of comedy gold.
Sh!t-faced Showtime makes a fantastic outing for groups of friends looking for a silly, boozy and joyously unserious evening. I mean, it is literally called A Pissedmas Carol! Sceptical whether the drunken thespian's antics are spontaneous or subtly scripted, the show is both clever and ridiculous in equal measure. A perfect alternative to panto if you seek festive theatre with a naughty and chaotic edge!
Show Information & Tickets: https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/show/sht-faced-showtime-a-pissedmas-carol/
