Review – Two Doors Down Live! – OVO Hydro, Glasgow

After seven series, Two Doors Down has become one of Scotland’s most beloved sitcoms, following the everyday chaos of Beth and Eric Baird and their neighbours on Latimer Crescent. With an eighth series arriving next year, the residents have now made the leap from television to the stage with Two Doors Down Live.

Act One opens with an impressive introduction to Latimer Crescent as the huge Baird house splits in half, revealing the familiar interior of Beth and Eric’s home. Screens above extend the Glasgow skyline, gradually changing from day to night as the show progresses.

The show wastes no time poking fun at its new home, with several jokes about nothing good ever being on at the Hydro, prompted by Beth announcing that Michelle and Alan need to leave early to see The Proclaimers. As the guests arrive, the love for these characters is immediately apparent, with each receiving a huge reaction on their entrance. Doon MacKichan’s Cathy Whyte receives perhaps the biggest, with applause that seems to last forever.

Everyone gathers for an announcement from Ian (Jamie Quinn), who reveals he is moving to London to pursue his music career, while Gordon (Kieran Hodgson) remains at home. This prompts Beth and Eric to make an announcement of their own: they are selling the house, buying a caravan and going travelling. Christine (Elaine C. Smith) is heartbroken, while Cathy and Colin are horrified for a less sentimental reason, they simply don’t want new neighbours.

Music is cleverly woven into the story, with four songs performed throughout the show and Quinn getting the opportunity to showcase his impressive vocal talent. In Act One, conversation turns to the famous Tennent’s advert about a man returning home to Scotland, leading Ian into a performance of Caledonia. The entire Hydro joins in, creating a beautiful moment which also subtly foreshadows Ian’s own journey home later in the story. Act One concludes with plans for a joint going away and birthday party for Michelle.

Act Two opens spectacularly, with Beth and Eric quite literally hanging from the Hydro roof inside their caravan. Nerve-racking to watch, but a brilliant use of the enormous venue. Back on Latimer Crescent, Cathy is horrified to discover Beth and Eric have accepted an offer from a family from Northern Ireland. Cathy and Colin (Jonathan Watson) then attempt to convince them to stay by inviting them to their “secret club”. Beth and Eric become convinced they are swingers, resulting in one of the funniest scenes of the night. Watson’s reactions are hilarious, with the cast themselves appearing to struggle to keep straight faces.

Meanwhile, Gordon becomes increasingly worried after going days without hearing from Ian. Kieran Hodgson threatens to steal the show, with impeccable comic timing, facial expressions and side comments. Gordon finally snaps, spectacularly calling out virtually everyone’s flaws to hilarious effect. Alex Norton and Arabella Weir are superb as Eric and Beth, grounding the story amongst the chaos. MacKichan and Smith deliver some of the biggest laughs, while Graeme “Grado” Stevely is hilarious as Alan with his blunt statements and brilliantly dead-behind-the-eyes expressions. Joy McAvoy brings real warmth to Michelle.

There is also plenty for long time fans, including Christine’s classic: “Do you know who does a good paracetamol? Morrisons.” The fan service is outstanding, rewarding fans without turning the production into a mishmash of old jokes. The staging continues to impress, with smaller houses revealing Cathy and Colin’s home and a London Underground tunnel where Ian busks.

With Ian eventually returning and Beth and Eric deciding to stay, the theme of home comes full circle. Two Doors Down Live retains the chaos, warmth and Scottish humour of the sitcom while successfully giving Latimer Crescent a new home on Scotland’s biggest stage.

***** Five Stars