Theatre / Reviews
Review: Yippee Ki Yay, Bristol Old Vic – ‘Poetry meets Die Hard’
I didn’t really know what to expect from a poetic parody about Die Hard, but I definitely wasn’t disappointed.
Yippee Ki Yay is a one-man performance that somehow ties together two completely different stories. One about a couple’s relationship, from those first exciting dates through marriage and kids, and the other (quite literally) is the plot of the original Die Hard film.
You wouldn’t think the two would work together, but they do. It’s fascinating how the stories weave in and out of each other, and is surprisingly emotive .
is needed now More than ever
For just over 70 minutes, writer and performer Richard Marsh has the audience completely in the palm of his hand. It’s all spoken-word poetry, with a handful of props including a chair, stuffed teddy and a large bucket of water.
There are no set changes, but somehow it’s gripping the whole way through with moments of laughter and tension.
The Die Hard references come thick and fast, from clever lines about John McClane’s bare feet (used as a metaphor for how “every man has his Achilles heel”) to brilliant impressions of both McClane and Hans Gruber.
There are plenty of jokes for the real die-hard fans, but also enough warmth and humour for those of us who’ve only seen the film once years ago – or not at all. I even heard people around me who’d never seen it laughing the whole way through.
It’s hard to describe just how original this show is – poetry mixed with an action film shouldn’t work, but somehow it really does. The performance I attended ended with a standing ovation and a very happy crowd, which says it all really.
If you get the chance to catch Yippee Ki Yay while it’s at Bristol Old Vic, go. You probably haven’t seen anything quite like it before.
Yippee Ki Yay (age recommendation 14+) is at Bristol Old Vic on 24th and 25th October at 7:30pm, with an additional 4:00pm matinee show on Saturday 25th October. Tickets are available here.
All photos: Rod Penn
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