British Comedy Guide
Yonderland. Debbie Maddox (Martha Howe-Douglas). Copyright: Working Title Films
Martha Howe-Douglas

Martha Howe-Douglas

  • 44 years old
  • English
  • Actor and writer

Press clippings Page 8

Radio Times review

One of the many strengths of this show is the guarantee that there'll be an entirely new, entirely brilliant comic character to enjoy in every episode, in addition to the magic kingdom's regulars. The other week the team even had the nerve to create tremendous womaniser Philip of Woolworth, then kill him off after only one hilarious scene.

Tonight there's another lothario, who lasts a bit longer as he attempts to woo Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas): King Bernard (Jim Howick) joins her on her latest quest, but he's more interested in his planned statue of himself. The blowsy love ballad Bernard sings to try to make Debbie his queen is terrific, as is Laurence Rickard's episode-stealing turn as Chamberlain, Bernard's disgusted manservant who has long since resorted to burning sarcasm.

Yonderland does preening, benign fools as well as any comedy. But now Debbie also, finally, meets the realm's less benign fool: Negatus.

Jack Seale, Radio Times, 8th December 2013

Radio Times review

Gentler gags this week - albeit with a couple that are more adult than usual - so time perhaps to enjoy Martha Howe-Douglas's superb performance as Debbie, the increasingly reluctant hero whose status as The Chosen One is making her spend too much time in her magic cupboard and not enough with her family.

Howe-Douglas largely has to stand there and react as puppets and men in wigs make jokes around and about her, which in less charismatic hands could be a monotonous straight role. That it isn't is what holds the show together, especially this week as Debbie decides to leave Yonderland, and Elf the elf sends her on one last quest.

Jack Seale, Radio Times, 1st December 2013

OK, so this fantasy family comedy was superb last week, but opening episodes are sweated over for weeks to achieve perfection. Does Yonderland have enough ideas to keep a series going? Based on this new instalment, the bad news for jealous rivals is yes, it does.

Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) happens on a monastery that has been smashed by ogres on the orders of pathetic overlord Negatus: the survivors are on the run but their order worships truth, so to stop them turning themselves in Debbie must teach them to lie. This simple premise is mined for every gag going, with lovely throwaway jokes all over the place. There's a smile in every scene. Someone's sweated over this for weeks as well.

Jack Seale, Radio Times, 17th November 2013

The Horrible Histories cast heads to the lushly appointed creative playground that is [y]Sky[/y], for a new comedy where their imagination is unencumbered by facts. Martha Howe-Douglas is the bewildered everywoman in a people-and-puppets fantasy that's loosely Monty Python's Life of Brian meets Labyrinth: a bored housewife steps through a portal in her larder and, reluctantly at first, embarks on a heroic quest in another realm. Here be talking sticks, foaming potions, squabbling elders and friendly giants who kill you by mistake.

Yonderland consistently takes the best of two worlds. It looks incredible but is more concerned with gags and plot; it has fun within the fantasy genre without resorting to snide spoof; and, crucially, it will make kids and adults laugh together, at the same jokes. If you don't have Sky, gather the family and descend on a household that does.

Jack Seale, Radio Times, 10th November 2013

Not much sign of a sophomore slump for the Horrible Histories team, as they rekindle the endearing daftness of their crossover CBBC hit, only without having to adhere to stuff like, y'know, actual facts.

Exhausted working mum Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) discovers an elf in her kitchen cupboard and, with it, a portal into Yonderland and an escape from domestic drudgery. And lo, she enters a fantasy world peopled by dissolute wizards, dull-witted treemen and a bickering council of elders (HH regulars Mat Baynton, Simon Farnaby et al) who, handily, have a few quests that need completing.

Borrowing liberally from Jim Henson in both its tone and heavy use of puppets, Yonderland showcases a crack comic ensemble brimming with confidence. Indeed, the performances are generally stronger and more consistent than the writing, but there's no shortage of chuckles, and it gains momentum over the course of this opening double bill. And ultimately, such gleeful silliness is always to be encouraged.

Gabriel Tate, Time Out, 10th November 2013

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