REVIEW! Lovers Actually - The Other Palace 2025

"Lovers Actually are all around"

Lovers Actually is the parody I never realised I was missing. Love Actually has long cemented itself as a Christmas staple—released in 2003 and still beloved in 2025—and this witty send-up captures everything audiences adore about the original while gleefully twisting it on its head. Staged in the studio at The Other Palace, writers Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst have crafted an intimately riotous reimagining of the interwoven stories we know so well. I can only imagine the fun they had while putting this script together.

The minimalist set, designed by Louie Whitemore, is deceptively simple and packed with clever surprises. Sherry Coenen’s lighting elegantly guides each shift in scene and storyline, while Whitemore’s costumes ensure every character lands instantly and unmistakably.

I’ve always admired performers who juggle multiple roles, and here the cast each inhabit at least four characters with ease. Joseph Beach, Ross Clifton, Martha Pothen and Holly Sumpton shine throughout, frequently sending the audience—and occasionally themselves—into uncontrollable laughter.

The Love Actually soundtrack is unforgettable—I owned the CD—and this show gives those beloved songs a sharp, funny tribute, from “Christmas Is All Around” to “Jump” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Even better, the fresh additions come with clever twists that align perfectly with the characters’ journeys. I adored every moment.