A Kick In The Baubles – Sutton Arts Theatre
Sutton Arts Theatre
Wednesday 28th January 2026 – Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Studio 55 Photography
A Kick in the Baubles is festive farce at its most relatable — a sharp, affectionate comedy that finds big laughs in the chaos, compromises and quiet catastrophes of Christmas with family.
Set across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Bauble household, the play centres on Frank Bauble (Andy Jones), a man who would happily cancel Christmas altogether if given half the chance. Recently made redundant and utterly worn down by the season, Frank’s dream of a calm, uneventful holiday is immediately crushed by the arrival of relatives, neighbours and well-meaning disasters. His long-suffering wife Jean (Joanne James) is determined to hold everything together — even as it becomes increasingly clear that “together” is a very loose concept indeed.
Andy Jones delivers a wonderfully grounded performance as Frank, capturing both his simmering frustration and reluctant vulnerability. He is matched beautifully by Joanne James, whose Jean balances warmth, steel and perfectly timed exasperation — the emotional anchor of the household as everything spins out of control.
The extended family bring the chaos in waves. Harry and Doreen (Phil Shaw and Lynette Coffey) provide deliciously smug comedy as the superior, slightly unbearable in-laws, with Coffey in particular leaning confidently into Doreen’s sharp tongue and self-importance. Alex (Sophia Firkins) adds youthful edge and energy, playing off the older characters with ease.
The arrival of the neighbours injects the production with an extra jolt of festive madness. Gary (Dan Holyhead) and Julie (Bexs Perry) are gloriously loud, unapologetically chaotic and clearly enjoying every moment — their scenes are packed with physical comedy and bold character choices that land strongly with the audience.
Younger cast members Milly (Tilde Porter) and Darren (Daniel Charlton) round out the ensemble with charm and clarity, ensuring that even at its busiest moments the stage never feels overcrowded or unfocused.
Under the confident direction of Maureen George, who also leads on set design, the production embraces the rhythm of farce while allowing quieter, more heartfelt moments to breathe. The domestic setting works perfectly for the piece, feeling lived-in and instantly recognisable — a Christmas living room that becomes the battleground for festive tension and escalating misunderstandings.
Behind the scenes, Stage Manager Allan Lane keeps the production running smoothly, while David Ashton’s lighting and sound design supports the pacing and mood without distraction. Lighting operators Elijah Topliss and Melissa Arslan, alongside sound operator Archie Exhall, ensure technical elements remain sharp and responsive throughout.
The set is well supported by Paul Wescott as Set Building Manager, while costumes — provided by Sutton Arts Wardrobe and the cast — help clearly define character and social contrasts. Wardrobe Mistress Rachel Marshall keeps everything cohesive, and properties by Christina Townsend, Sue Atkins and Maureen George add the finishing touches that make the space feel authentically chaotic and lived-in.
Ultimately, A Kick in the Baubles succeeds because it recognises a simple truth: Christmas rarely goes to plan — and that’s exactly where the laughter lives. Warm, knowing and consistently funny, it offers audiences the chance to laugh at the madness while quietly recognising a little of their own family in the Baubles’ living room.
A festive treat that proves sometimes the best way to survive Christmas… is to laugh straight through it
