by Ed Fortune
Over-the-top musical comedy theatre is called Panto in the UK, and it’s usually found in and around Christmas time. A Good Panto Die Hard is a new panto, currently on at the Edinburgh Fringe, and as the name suggests, it’s based on the 1988 action film Die Hard.
Which, all things considered, feels like an odd choice of story for a panto, but then so is Dick Whittington. The cast for A Good Panto Die Hard is only four people, with one person mostly taking the lead as John McClane, and everyone else with at least one main character as well as a mix of other roles. This simply adds to the sense of anarchy, as quick changes happen quite a bit.
The pace can best be described as frantic, with a variety of clever props and sight gags used to revoke the more spectacular scenes from the movie. They also make very good use of Panto’s audience participation traditions. If you’re expecting to yell “He’s Behind You” when Hans Gruber approaches John McClane, then you won’t be disappointed.
The performances are good, the actors are fun and charismatic, and they can all sing very well. Because it’s panto, so of course, there’s an ’80s medley. And yes, the audience will sing along. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Well, it’s now Christmas enough to have a panto based on it, and yes, the show does ask that question.
It’s a fabulous, hilarious, nostalgia-powered show that will have you chuckling for days. If this is the future of the Die Hard franchise, we’re all in.
A Good Panto Die Hard is showing at the Edinburgh Fringe until the 27th. Tickets can be found here. Future tour information can be found here.
