Christmas on the Heath

This 2-night performance of Christmas themed music, readings and comedy is an addition to the Heath Players usual programme of events, a bit of a passion project for Director Jo Gladstone, with much of the content being suggested by the membership.  This will always be a winning format, and I could tell that those involved enjoyed doing the songs and drama pieces they have chosen.

I received a warm welcome from Jude and Janet, front of house team, and thought that the church looked delightful with the large Christmas tree, plenty of white fairy lights hanging from the balcony going up into the performance space, and candles at the pew ends, giving a lovely festive feeling.

After an introduction by the Reverend, we had Stuart announcing each performer, he was confident and engaging, sharing Christmas cracker jokes and receiving appreciative groans from the audience. Summer sang a beautiful solo verse of Once in Royal David’s City, with the cast and audience then joining in, the first of many songs and carols where audience participation was encouraged – I hadn’t sung the Calypso Carol since being in primary school. The first half included readings about shepherds in the Christmas story (Jess), The Grinch (Sara), and a modern festive poem (Jo), all with good projection, pace and clarity.  Steve and Lee then gave a splendid performance of a Scrooge and Cratchit scene. The music included festive songs by Cara and Jody, LJ and Summer.  Zander and Robbie acted out the Inn-Keepers perspective on the nativity, and the group lead us into the interval with the 12 days of Theatre, a very entertaining alternative to the 12 days of Christmas.

I’ll take a moment here to mention that the stage was lit well, and dots of coloured dots were projected on the ceiling, moving throughout the concert, lighting by Roger Newman. Dress code was festive outfits, with added costume elements for the drama piece characters, and there was good use of props when needed. Backing tracks were at good volume, and Nick Newton played the keyboard for all the carols, nicely accompanied performers, and had a lovely selection of entrance and exit music. A couple of the singers opted not to use the lecture microphones, and at times were a little quiet given the size of the venue.

The second half started with a trio singing a gentle Somewhere in My Memory (from Home Alone), followed by a newly formed 8-piece guitar group The Rusty Strings leading the audience in a singalong – song sheets and mobile phone torches at the ready! Drama included another Scrooge excerpt (Steve, Zander and Robbie), and a scene from the Vicar of Dibley, I could have watched a lot more of Caroline and Jo as Geraldine and Alice, it was very well done indeed ladies.  Readings were about Santa (Jess), Christmas Decorations (Lee channelled Bill Bryson perfectly), and an updated Night before Christmas set in a senior citizens residential home (Jacki) which was dedicated to Dot Sharp, a valued and much missed member of the group. There was also a lovely mix of songs performed by Georgia, Sara, Ginny and Alex, LJ and Summer, and Stuart and Gem, with further carols for all to join in, and Hark! The Herald angels sing finishing the evening.

I have no doubt of the hard work that both Jo the Director and Musical Director Nick put in while preparing and rehearsing this concert, it was a lovely relaxed programme of festive fun.

 

 

 

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