JADAR

★★★★☆

It was the biggest trial since The People v. O. J. Simpson… Gwyneth Paltrow v. Terry Sanderson saw Terry sue Gwyneth for $300,000, over injuries sustained in a ski crash, and Gwyneth countersue Terry for a mere $1 (yes, really). So iconic was this trial that it has already been turned into not one but two musical parodies. I’ll be watching I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical in London next week, purely for pleasure, whilst I reviewed Gwyneth Goes Skiing in Manchester last night – and it was a pleasure!

Gwyneth Goes Skiing is the latest production by Awkward Productions, following the now-iconic Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story (which is set to be revived next month, as a one-off special, with an all-star cast to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians).

Gwyneth has had a developmental and later full run at Pleasance London, a US transfer to Park City, Utah (where the trial took place!), and a run at Pleasance Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Fringe – and now it has begun its UK tour at Hope Mill Theatre.

Like Diana, Gwyneth hilariously blends fact and fiction – but the trial was so crazy that sometimes it’s hard to separate the two. On several occasions, Linus Karp (co-writer and Gwyneth) helpfully tells us, “That actually happened” – otherwise we’d think it was something they made up!

Before the show begun, many iconic pop songs were played, with key words changed to “ski”: “There’s a [ski] wolf in your closet”, “[Ski] for your love”, and so on – which set the tone for this unashamedly unserious fringe play.

Linus’ partner, Joseph Martin, plays Terry, in a wig more realistic than Linus’. He also voices the puppet of Terry’s chaotic attorney, Kristin VanOrman (who went to watch the show in Utah!).

There’s a stage hand who appears a lot, looking like they want to blow their brains out.

The semi-musical features original songs by Leland, who also provides the voice of The Deer of Deer Valley. Catherine Cohen and Darren Criss provide the singing voices of Gwyneth and Terry, respectively. There’s also a special video appearance by Trixie Mattel as Gynweth’s mother, Blythe Danner. Members of the cast are also employed (unpaid!) to play supporting roles, such as Gwyneth’s “boyfriend-soon-to-be-husband, Brad Falchuk, and Terry’s “girlfriend-soont-to-be-ex-girlfriend”, Karlene Davidson.

The show opens dramatically, as the scene is set for the trial, before Gwyneth gives us a monologue about herself, as if we don’t already know who she is. Terry then arrives onstage for his turn but all he does is introduce himself. The characters are immediately foiled.

The first act revolves around the pair’s adventures at Deer Valley Resort. We meet Gwyneth’s daughter, Apple (a literal apple), who she shares with Chris Martin (who Gwyneth calls “the colour beige personified” and Terry refers to as “the other one” in Coldplay).

The second act is the trial – and in case you were living under a rock, Gwyneth won and wished Terry well.

The play’s solid script is jam-packed with Gwyneth references, including a monologue in which Linus uses many of her most iconic films as little phrases. The play never runs out of Gwyneth jokes, which is testament to her icon status. Linus perfectly characterises Gwyneth as the pretentious, sheltered, nepo-baby Queen that she is.

Martin had a harder job, playing a boring old White guy who nobody knows without his relation to Gwyneth, but he succeeds in making him an interesting character that you cannot help but feel sorry for (if only because of how pathetic he is). Martin has been upgraded, after having a small appearance in Diana, and I hope we see more of him (that sounds naughty).

There’s nothing really to dislike about this show. I’m not sure if the lip-synced songs are necessary but this show was not created out of necessity; it was created purely for fun. The play could maybe work better as a one-acter, and there are a few scenes that could be cut down a little, but it is impossible to lose interest in this Gweird, Gwild and Gwonderful show that throws everything (including snowballs that audiences are handed on their way in) but the kitchen sink (and that’s only because it’s a show with very little set).

This style of theatre is certainly not for everybody; it feels very anti-establishment, sticking its middle finger up to the status quo, with its proud lack of sophistication. There’s something punk rock about it – but a punk rocker with flowers in their hair – which is probably why it appeals so much to queer audiences (as well as the obvious: its topic).

This goop-tastic play does exactly what it sets out to do but exceeds expectations. I’m not sure how Awkward Productions will top it, but I thought the same after seeing Diana. No matter what they do next – and who they spoof – I wish them well.

Gwyneth Goes Skiing runs at Hope Mill Theatre until September 21 and tours the UK until December 21, ending the tour with its third stint at Pleasance London from September 11 to 21.

Awkward Productions will be reviving Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story (with an all-star cast for Medical Aid for Palestinians) at Clapham Grand on November 4.

Photo: Jonny Ruff