Two Doors Down Live - OVO Hydro ★★★★

It is easy to forget that Two Doors Down has been snuggled into our TV screens for well over a decade. Beginning as a rather darker, Mike Leigh-esque one-off on Hogmanay 2013 (starring such North of the border acting alumni as Daniella Nardini and Greg McHugh, no less), it has quietly made its way to being a much-loved and award-winning comedy staple. Given the cosy, almost claustrophobic nature of the television series, translating it to the vastness of the Hydro feels like something of a gamble. Commercially, perhaps, there was little to worry about but, artistically, considerably more was at risk in this James Brining-directed adaptation.

The plot sticks to the show’s established formula. The neighbours are once again descending upon relentlessly put-on Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric (Alex Norton), although this time they have actually been invited, along with their son, Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his partner, Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). There are two big announcements to be made, and the familiar over-the-top reactions from the throng (Elaine C Smith, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, Joy McAvoy and Graeme Stevely) sustain much of the running time.

There are plenty of Easter eggs for longstanding fans to savour (“I’ll tell you who does a nice paracetamol – Morrison’s!”), rubbing alongside knowing jokes about Scottishness (the squad’s astonishment that English Gordon has never tried Irn Bru) and indeed the Hydro itself, with the laughs often turned on the audience. One gag about people paying to attend said venue only to watch events on “a big telly” proves particularly meta. With relatively static action and comedy frequently dependent upon facial expressions, keeping an eye on the screens is essential to catch all of the humour.

Despite Simon Higglett’s exquisite stage design, there is no elaborate attempt to transcend the television format or exploit the possibilities of the stage. This is, essentially, an elongated episode played out in an arena. The temptation to ‘go large’ is, largely, resisted; thankfully, it avoids the ‘jump the shark’ moments to which the TV show occasionally has resorted. (Cathy’s bulldozing of Alan and Michelle’s porch being a particularly grim lowlight.) The only slight misstep is a subplot seemingly engineered to facilitate the inevitable musical interludes and showcase Quinn’s singer-songwriter pursuits. Pleasant while it all is, it feels a tad shoe-horned into proceedings, even if it does ensure a particularly rousing climax.

Crucially, though, Gregor Sharp’s script is marvellously funny, with gags spanning the ‘delights’ of caravanning, square sausage etiquette, the perils of moving to London and the dubious pleasures of middle-aged swinging. While there may have been some doubt about the show’s future following the sad death of his co-creator, Simon Carlye, the wisecrack hit rate here is high. The cast also appear completely at ease in the enormous space, their familiar performances feeling like a warm hug. Hodgson’s stand-up chops pay particular dividends. Often no more than the series’ hapless comic foil, here he is afforded some of the best lines and delivers them impeccably.

Stretching a 30-minute sitcom into a two-hour stage show could easily have resulted in something painfully overextended, but Two Doors Down Live avoids the outlandish pantomime-style traps it could have been tempted to stray into and keeps the show’s strengths and charm. Just how much of the script will make its way to next year’s seventh season remains to be seen. But, on this form, the Latimer Crescent Crew will be well worth dropping in on. Pop the kettle on, Beth!