Ramblings by Chris Hyde (we do apologise).
Pud (noun) - Abbreviation of Pudding.
"A cooked sweet dish served after the main course of a meal".
When you think of Christmas, one thing that comes to mind is the dessert. Whether you are or not a fan of Christmas Pudding, there's no doubt that it is a staple of British Christmas tradition.
If you are unaware of the comedy troupe Aunty Donna, they are an ensemble of six members from Melbourne, Australia.
Mark Samuel Bonnano, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane are the main performers and co-writers of the sketches. Max Miller acts as Director/Cinematographer with other creative positions taken up as required. Sam Lingham as Writer/Director, and Thomas Zahariou acts as their sound and music composer.
They began their career in 2011 creating subversive and surrealist sketches featuring eccentric characters, uses of language and expression.
For years they built up a cult following, performing all around the world in live shows and releasing YouTube sketches. But on December 19th 2018 all of that was about to change.
It's important to note that sketch comedy as an artform has been slowly dying over the last 10+ years. Groups like Aunty Donna are keeping the spirit of the artform alive but they need your support. They are about to go on tour with their new show DREM and you can get tickets to their live show here.
Now to continue the review.
The series has had nine installments in six years with 2019 and 2021 having no Pud related media released.
Always Room for Christmas Pud - (2023 Reupload)
When it comes to the reuploads, it's hard to justify their impact on the PCU (Pud Cinematic Universe). On the one hand it reminds us of that classic sketch and puts us into the Christmas (pud) spirit. On the other it's a hamfisted attempt to capitalise on the success that brought them fame and fortune. I like to think of it as a satirical take on franchises making every sequel a cookie cutter copy of their previous installment.
Best Performance: Broden Kelly
Always Room For Christmas Pud - (2022 Reupload)
To reupload Pud is to understand it's impact. After a complete lack of pud content in 2021, the boys returned to give us a reminder of the classic sketch, in its entirety.
Best Performance: Zachary Ruane
Always Room For Christmas Pud - (2020 Reupload)
The reuploads are a tricky one to cover. But it's important to understand that 2020 was a dark time for the world. Locked inside, unable to exercise basic freedoms, it was a feeling unlike any other. Not only did the UK have a massive political scandal involving pud but Aunty Donna felt as if we needed a friendly reminder that what we are united by our collective love of Pud and the Christmas Holiday.
Best Performance: Mark Samuel Bonnano
Always Room For Christmas Pud - (Audio Commentary, 2022)
This edition to the franchise was a welcome one back in 2022. Struggling with isolation, contamination and preservation everyone needed an escape from reality. Luckily we had writer/director Sam Lingham and director/cinematographer Max Miller to give us an analytical breakdown of the iconic sketch.
Best performance: Sam Lingham
Before we move onto the top 5 here's a small notice:
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Always Room For Christmas Pud (Family Friendly Edition, 2022)
The second year of the pandemic was a busy one four our favourite Aussie boys. Not only did they release a reupload of the original sketch but they also released both an audio commentary and this family friendly edited version for all the family to enjoy. The only problem for me with this version is they missed the censoring of the word "bloody" which I felt was a break from the family friendly version they were attempting to present.
Best Performance: Broden Kelly
Always Room For Christmas Pud - (Book Reading, 2022)
To celebrate their success and the overwhelming reception ARFCP had. The Aunty Donna team released a story book version of the classic sketch. Narrated by Sally-Anne Upton, a respected Australian actress and performer. This retelling of the iconic sketch cemented itself as a worthy edition to the Pud Saga.
Best Performance: Sally-Anne Upton
Always Room For Christmas Pud - (Documentary, 2024)
The latest edition to the Pudverse is the surprise release for this year's annual ARFCP celebration. The documentary features the Aunty Donna troupe comprised of the six individuals as well as exclusive interviews from Tony Martin, Matt Preston, Jo Baker, and Christine Ebbs as well as visiting the original production office it was shot back in 2018. The documentary explores the events leading up to the creation of the sketch, it's initial release, reception and the book release. It serves as an interesting insight into the production process, how the classic Aunty Donna sketches are made.
Best Performance: Max Miller
Always Room For Panettone - C'è sempre spazio per il panettone (Pre-Sequel, 2023)
There's very little said on this entry in terms of its production. Some claim it is a prequel set in 60's Italy but other's dispute its nature entirely claiming it was a sequel and the boys were on holiday. I think you can make a case for either, but for me I see it as an alternate universe where Pud doesn't exist and only Panettone is available. This is probably the first and only time the ARFCP sketch has felt truly different with the complete absence of Christmas Pudding. The cinematography from Max Miller is unlike anything seen in an Aunty Donna sketch before.
Best performance: Tom Zahariou
Always Room For Christmas Pud - (Original, 2018)
It's the sketch that started it all. The catalyst for what was to come. It's perfect in its simplicity, using the concept of being full on a Christmas Lunch but making an exception for Pud. The director Max Miller uses techniques such as crash zooms and quick editing cuts to heighten the comedic tension. His cinematography is unique too, using both conventional framing and unconventional framing to capture the emotion and comedic performances of the main cast.
Best Performance: Zachary Ruane
So that was my review of the ARFCPCU, hope you enjoyed reading, if you didn't get this far that was probably for the best. What's your favourite Pud? Do you even know who I'm talking about? Have I been driven to insanity? Who knows?! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays from myself and the KHM team!
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