There are many types of shows that those who frequent fringe theatre will be familiar with. One-person shows and pastiches of known film and TV provide a reasonable chunk of the comedy you are likely to see at any fringe festival. After a successful Edinburgh Fringe run in 2022, Richard Marsh’s Yippee Ki Yay gets a tour of sorts, culminating in a five-night run at Wilton’s Music Hall, writes Christopher Peacock.
As those that are a fan of action films will pick up from the title alone, Yippee Ki Yay is a re-telling of the 80s’ classic Die Hard. This time, however, as an epic poem.
Marsh regales us with the plot in verse and breaks up the narrative of the movie by interweaving the story of him meeting the love of his life. Their mutual love of Die Hard is one of the things that bonds them and as their relationship progresses Marsh maps their personal journey to that of the film’s narrative.
The level of detail that has clearly gone into the creation of the show comes from a genuine place of affection for a classic of the genre. The film is picked apart in places and lovingly put back together with skill and wit which certainly makes for lots of laughs. For those who have never seen Die Hard or are not fans, it matters not, as there are many creative pieces of comedy that work universally. There are great moments as Marsh takes on the cast of roles in the movie, at times giving their characters more room and depth than the film itself allows. The use of props and audio track for the necessary sound effects help fill the show out and the enthusiastic pace prevents the show from being slow and sparse.
In Yippee Ki Yay you see a performer clearly enjoying himself as he switches between his tough Bruce Willis as John McClane to the urbane Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber. Far from taking itself seriously, what Richard Marsh has done is read further into the source material to see it as more than just a surface-level action adventure. Possibly a little further than most would and probably more than the producers of the movie initially did.
A great show, nevertheless, and a highlight for any literal Die Hard fan.
Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB until 22nd April.
Booking: 020 7702 2789
