White Christmas

White Christmas ... staged and performed by Maghull Musical Theatre Company at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport on Friday, 21st November 2025

If there was ever a “feel good” musical that could brighten up the coldest, darkest, dampest, November night, then surely it must be White Christmas. This well-known story tells of two ex-soldiers, now a successful Broadway Variety Double Act ... Bob Wallace and Phil Davies, who both fall in love with the up-and-coming Haynes Sisters, Judy and Betty... together they set out to save an ailing ski lodge and hotel owned and run by the lads old Platoon Army General, General Henry Waverley. It was great to see those well-known film characters and classic songs, including the title track ‘White Christmas, brought to life, on stage, by Maghull Musical Theatre Company. This musical, is based on the 1954 Paramount Pictures film of the same name, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen was taken from a book by David Ives and Paul Blake with the music and lyrics written by the legendary Irving Berlin.

The Production Team ... the task of bringing this classic Christmas musical to stage was left in the hands of ‘Directing Debutant’ Sarah Fletcher, who also choreographed the show, and the ever-impressive Adam Dutch (Musical Director). As with all well-known classic musicals, you are always faced with audience anticipation, with White Christmas its always the four lead characters and the extremely impressive list of musical numbers and in particular the title song ‘White Christmas’. I think Sarah and Adam did a great job with the castings, especially the leads, the supports and with the amazing vocals and the harmonies that were present throughout! In Sarah’s ‘Programme Welcome’ she tells of how she’d worked with her father Ian, seven years previously, when Maghull MTC last brought White Christmas to stage and there was little or no doubt that the knowledge gained had helped in setting the scenes and allowing them to flow and the creation of so many well-rounded characters ... well done you two, great job!

The Cast ... fabulous cast, who created some fabulous characters, with no real weak links and it was obvious as soon as those light came up... that they were well rehearsed and ready for the challenge that lay ahead...
leading the cast: Chris Rimmer playing ‘Bob Wallace’; Tom Avann – ‘Phil Davies’; Phoebe Hill – ‘Betty Haynes’;  Ellie Simons – ‘Judy Haynes’; Natalie Olson – ‘Martha Watson’; Colin Dryden – ‘General Waverly’;
Lily Grace McNally – ‘Susan Waverly’ (Shared with Summer Davis); Hayley King – ‘Rhona’;  Alice McKillop – ‘Rita’; Dan Rankin – ‘Sheldrake /Snoring Man’; Bob Cleverly – ‘Ezekiel Foster’; Colin Kilbride – Mike McNulty; Ian Culshaw – Jimmy;
Issy Housley – Secretary; Ingrid Cleverley - Tessie/Seamstress; Kayleigh Ginley – ‘Mrs Snoring Man’; John Ball – ‘Train Conductor’; Gill Culshaw – ‘Seamstress’; Hannah Charnock – ‘Cigarette Girl’ & Mat Ball – Scooter.
Dance Kids/Ensemble included some of those already named above ... plus Kay Davies, Kaley Casson, Leanne Cooney, Yasmin Cranny, Elle Fletcher, Laura Makin, Siobhan King, Erin McGowan, Vicki Ridland and Zoe Stevens. Where to start... there is little or no doubt to stage “White Christmas”, successfully requires two talented and capable duos to undertake the lead parts but in all honestly, I do believe that the success of this show was really down to ‘cast togetherness’, not only could you see it, you could feel it and at the post-production ‘meet’ with the cast .... honestly, that feeling was tangible!  Having said all that, I really do think it would be remiss of me not to select some favourites... and I’m going to start with those four leads Chris Rimmer, Tom Avann, Phoebe Hill and Ellie Simons who played ‘Bob Wallace’, ‘Phil Davies’, ‘Betty Haynes’ and ‘Judy Haynes’ respectively. We spoke earlier about expectations and with these four characters, expectations really do run high; but they dealt with those expectations with great aplomb.  Characterisation was ‘spot on’, there was great chemistry between all four which added so much to their performance. All four have wonderful voices that not only sounded great as individuals, but blended together really well in the ensemble numbers. Having said that, I really do need to highlight Chris’s vocals!  Chris always sounds amazing, but there was a subtle difference in his voice throughout this production and having spoken with him post show about it, he told me he was ‘channelling his inner ‘Bing’... well Chris, it surely worked! Be very proud all of you... wonderful job!  Then we come to a young lady who absolutely nailed the role of ‘Susan Waverley’ ... Lily Grace McNally. OMG... Lily was outstanding! For someone so young, to have such a presence in an adult production was ‘stand out’! Wonderful stage presence, created this believable character with energy and emotion. Her diction, and her vocals in the reprises of ‘Let me Sing’ and ‘I’m Happy’ were wonderful... be very proud young lady!  ‘Showstealer’ ... such an easy choice... ‘stole the show’ for me ...  Natalie Olson and her larger-than-life portrayal of ‘Martha Watson’, General Waverley’s housekeeper at Ski Lodge. Natalie just oozed confidence and made this part her own. Confident, assured, commanded the stage from first entrance to last.  Great diction and articulation, wonderful singing voice .... worked effortlessly with all cast members, especially Susan.  Be very proud Natalie, wonderful job.  These are MY choices, MY favourites and MY showstealer, you may well have other ideas, but these are MINE!  

Staging/Set/Tech... I always make notes about everything in a production, but when I came to look back at my notes, I hadn’t written a thing about stage/set/tech, which suggests to me that everything was perfect! The only two things I did remember, was how slick and quiet the scene changes where and the balance of the sound from the ‘ Big Band, which was just right, as was the sound quality throughout ... so it’s well done to Ed McKillop (Stage Manager), Amelie Haynes (Dep Stage Manager) their Production Team (Alex McKillop & Issy Housley), Stage Crew - Radley Haynes, Alexandra Ashall and Hollie Power... Chris Morris, Ben Keen & Colin Haynes (Flymen). Lighting Design created by ‘Infinity’ operated by Alex McKillop with Corinna Davies and James Settle (Follow Spots) ... be very proud one and all, great job!

The Big Band ... led with great aplomb by the ever so talented Adam Dutch (MD/Conductor) ... included Sarah Dutch, Niamh Boland; Helen Hodgkiss; Helen Blamey; Michael Grant - (Reed 1/2/3/4/5) respectively; Cliff Ray; Tom Scaife; Miranda Woodward (Trumpet 1/2/3) respectively; JP Warder (Bass Trombone); Toby Johnson-Jones (Horn); Austin Ralphso (Trombone); Corey Gerrard and  Andrew Standeven (Keys 1/2); Sophie Sully (Bass); Paul Dutch (Drums) and Caitlin Monaghan (Percussion). Situated to the rear of the stage... they not only sounded fabulous but they looked amazing, creating this wonderful atmosphere, especially in the scenes in the Ski Lodge.  ‘Big Band’/’Big Sound’ so getting the balance right was ever so important and it really was. They supported all the singers, soloists, duets and the many ensemble pieces, ever so well... be very proud... wonderful sound, wonderful job!   

Costumes/Props... wow, what a fabulous set of costumes used, appropriate, of the era and just perfect for this production provided by Triple C Costume Hire. The props were also of an excellent quality, used well and in the capable hands of Ingrid Cleverly, Kay Davies and Nat Olson.

Thank you so much for inviting me to your production and for allowing me and the VIP party to meet and speak with the cast ‘post show’.  This was another great production from another great year for Maghull Theatre Company.  Be very proud folks.... hope to see you all again in 2026!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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