The McCallisters are back, but this time, they're serving Christmas with a side of cheeky innuendos and a whole lot of camp. Homo Alone, directed by Alex Jackson and written by Bobby Delaney and Jodie Prenger, is the adult Christmas parody you didn't know you needed. A riotous reimagining of the beloved holiday film Home Alone, this show is a joyous, unhinged, and wonderfully whacky story filled with laughs, inappropriate punchlines, and a few eyebrow-raising moments.
The plot looselyT follows the dysfunctional McCallister family as they prepare to jet off for the holidays. Peter (Jack North) is a closeted dad struggling with his truth, Kate (Allie Dart) is a frazzled, anxiety-ridden mother, and Buzz (Steph Asamoah) is the bully older brother who puts the “bah” in bah-humbug. Then there's Kevin (Elliot Evans), the precocious oddball accidentally left behind when the family flies off, leaving him to fend for himself in a house soon invaded by burglars Harry and Marv.
The writing is what you'd expect from an adult Christmas show—sharp, witty, and gloriously filthy. Delaney and Prenger's script is a masterclass in double entendres, with punchlines landing harder than Kevin's iconic paint cans. The sheer audacity of some jokes had the audience roaring, transforming classic scenes from the movie into delightfully naughty moments.
The cast also play multiple roles, transforming into burglars, airport staff, and even the pigeon lady, with a surprise character (no spoilers, but this one had the audience in stitches). Each performer brought their personalities and energy to the stage: North's Peter balanced repressed desire with slapstick comedy, while Dart's Kate managed to combine maternal panic with some truly side-splitting one-liners. Asamoah's Buzz was delightfully obnoxious, and Evans' Kevin was an unhinged delight.
The set, designed by Louie Whitemore, captures the chaotic charm of a sitcom living room, complete with a door that actors dashed in and out of, eliciting cheers from the audience. Dale White's choreography was impressively sharp and used every inch of the space, keeping the action moving and unpredictable. Musical director Lauren Hopkinson set the show to classic Christmas tunes with hilariously rewritten lyrics that had the crowd laughing and singing along.
Clocking in at two hours (including an interval), the show keeps the pace brisk and the energy high. Beneath all the absurdity and innuendo, Homo Alone carries a heartfelt message: no one should be alone at Christmas. But let's be clear—this is not a show for the kids. With its unabashed bawdiness and a surplus of sexual jokes, this is a night out for adults who want their festive cheer with a side of camp.
Highly entertaining and utterly outrageous, Homo Alone is the Christmas parody that proves sometimes, it's good to be on the naughty list.
Homo Alone plays at The Other Palace (Studio) until 5 Jan. For more information and tickets, follow the link here.
Review: Caleb Lee Photo: Mark Senior