It's the Most Wymsical Time Of The Year

Wymsical Theatre brought a broad range of mainly Christmas related numbers to well and truly put us in the mood, with the Encore section’s colourful opening with ‘SparkleJollyTwinkleJIngley!’ from the musical ‘Elf’. With almost 40 numbers in total it is difficult to comment on every one and every individual, but the numbers only go to demonstrate the range of this talented group.

During Part 1, the adult ‘Fenice Singers’ gave several strong and harmonious numbers including ‘The Lamb’, ‘Sing Gently’ and ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ and the Debut and Spotlight team gave a charming version of ‘The Snowman’. They also spoke up well for ‘The Night Before Christmas’. I liked the style of jazz in Encore’s ‘Follow That Star’, enjoyed ‘The Holly and The Ivy’ and their harmonies in ‘A Merry Little Christmas’.

Along the way, Sam Nield gave a light-hearted rendition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Isaac McMannus gave great expression to ‘Journey of the Magi’ by TS Eliot. I also loved Anne Lane’s amazing story of ‘Coronavirus’ and Sylvie Symons put some lovely expression into ‘Christmas’ a poem by John Betjeman. Wymsical came together with a great routine from ‘42nd Street’ and the ‘Wednesday Tappers’ fronted by the polished performer Britt Needham, entertained with their tap number ‘Santa Baby’. Part 1 closed with Will McCrea joining the band on guitar increasing the tempo with ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’.

For Part 2, the company changed from its signature black attire into a range of colourful evening wear and it certainly felt ‘It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas’. The Fenice Singers joined Encore for ‘Little Road to Bethlehem’ and the younger ones for ‘Away in a Manger’. Molly Day sang a lovely gentle and tuneful ‘O Holy Night’ and Beth Lawson and Ellie Morris danced ‘Christmas Piece’ beautifully. Will McCrea gave an absorbing excerpt from ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Encore’s ‘Bless Us All’ was beautifully sung. Members of Encore then staged a ‘different version’ of ‘Cinderella’ which was very funny.

A star cloth and dressed Christmas tree centre stage provided atmosphere as the evening was rounded off with the full company singing ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ and ‘The Most Wonderful Time Of The year’. If the audience were not in the mood for Christmas before, they certainly would be now. Thank you for inviting me to another great concert.

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