Step Into Christmas

As the programme confirmed, PODS seasonal show ‘Step Into Christmas’ with a strong production team led by director Hannah Bengough, had a wealth of varied seasonal entertainment. Matthew Owens as compere for Act 1 set the scene and provided a range of almost expected corny jokes! Matthew led the first number which was of course ‘Step Into Christmas’ when the company wore some very nice predominantly white and gold sparkly costumes. ‘Bring Me Love’ with all the girls dressed in red followed and then Jessica Lawson and Lindsey Kirby with their good voices harmonised well with ‘2000 Miles’. We then had the first part of 3 sketches ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ when the recipient of 12 gifts Lois Thomson as Emily, was excellent, at first really pleased with the gifts but then became increasingly agitated as the days of Christmas unfolded, which was very funny.

Felicity Johns showed her dancing prowess as the Sugar Plum Fairy, in a sugar plum fairy remix involving the Nutcracker, fairies and soldiers and this was followed by ‘The Rocking Tea Ladies’ Sara Bennett and Lisa Cole who also rocked around the tea trolley with some of the company. Hannah Eakins provided a very pleasing voice leading ‘Snowfall’ and Sam Godber sang with great feeling leading ‘Last Christmas’ with the gentlemen – a great number. I liked Briony Stevens and Tom Brodie’s ‘Christmas Lights’ with good support from the company and Peter Rowe (‘Real Love’) and Judy Megarry ‘(We need a Little Christmas’ – From the musical Mame) both sang well with feeling.

‘Christmas Island’ was beautifully sung by Briony Stevens, Lindsey Kirby and Suzie Tapley, harmonious smooth and gentle whilst ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, James Megarry and Paul Tapley’s voices also blended well.  It was obvious the costume department had once again pulled out all the stops, with another impressive combination, this time gold and silver, for ‘You make it feel like Christmas’ and the act closed with a well sung ‘What Christmas Means To Me’.

Act 2 opened with something different – this time a Pam Ayres poem, ‘It was Christmas Eve on a Friday’ delivered in style by Amanda Rushton, Beth Mustard, Judy Megarry and Ruth Barton. Susan Perry took over as compere for Act 2 and resisted the temptation to make too many corny jokes, following which we entered a section called ‘Carols by Candlelight’. The company were impressively dressed in DJs and evening gowns and the company singing together proved to be particularly strong and enjoyable.

A number of other well delivered poems were distributed across the act including ‘Little Trees’, a poem by e.e. cummings (Willow Salmon, Gen Rowe and Marcus Davis), ‘Christmas Eve’ by Christina Rossetti (Marianne Jones) and ‘Merry’ by Brian Bilston (Peter Rowe).  One of my favourite carols – not sung  enough - was ‘The  First Noel’ by the company and possibly the number of most quality was ‘Gaudete’ sung by James Megarry, Briony Stevens, Suzie Tapley and Peter Spence with the company.

A diversion to panto land soon followed with ‘House of Dames’ parts 1 and 2, when game show host Matthew Owens introduced a number of appropriate questions to a panel of dames – well done Tom Brodie, George Organ, Willow Salmon and Rob Watts. ‘Santa Clause is coming to town’ included a tap routine one of a variety of dance styles in the hands of not one, but nine of the company, which understandably was a good idea given the volume of musical numbers.

The open set was good and any on stage changes were smooth; the band, sound, lighting and rear stage projections complimented the action. Following ‘It’s Snowing Men’ and ‘Sleigh Ride’ the company entered a sequence of numbers concluding with a reprise of ‘Step Into Christmas’, which by then, we had all certainly arrived ! Thank you for the warm welcome and congratulations to all involved.                            

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