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Despite the title, there are no Wham! references in this play from Welsh theatre company Dirty Protest. And if that sounds like something of a relief then Matthew Bulgo’s sweet and simple monologue, performed by Sion Pritchard, might just be what you need this festive season.
It takes place on Christmas Eve and things aren’t going so well for protagonist Tom. He’s hungover from last night’s crap office party and he’s running late, trying to leave his house to get the train back to his mum’s in Swansea. His girlfriend is following him around, getting under his feet. She’s got something to tell him, something pretty momentous: she’s pregnant. Tom doesn’t respond so well to this news. He gives a snort and makes a quick exit. It’s clear he isn’t going to win a boyfriend of the year award anytime soon.
But just as you start to think that you don’t want to spend any more time in Tom’s grumpy company we begin to learn that there’s a reason for his moodiness. And what spins out from this initial scenario is an honest and touching story of loss, grief and family ties.
‘Last Christmas’ is refreshingly light on the tinsel – it’s raw and real and utterly believable. Pritchard’s performance is perfectly honed: he hits his pace and despite all of Tom’s negativity and lack of festive cheer the audience is sucked in.
Just like George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (and the comparison fits: Tom’s a film fan and the story is peppered with cinema references), our protagonist is heading for his own Christmas Eve epiphany. At times it feels like it’s getting into predictable waters, but with Pritchard’s captivating presence and plenty of jokes, ‘Last Christmas’ ends up hitting the poignant note we’re waiting for.
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