White Christmas

This choice of show by the company proved to be an out and out winner because, even before the show opened, all six performances were completely sold out! The well known story tells of two ex-army friends who team up with two sisters to put on a show to save their former general’s remote Vermont ski lodge when it falls on hard times. The music score abounds with tuneful Irving Berlin melodies, among them Sisters, Snow, Count Your Blessings, I Love A Piano and, the most popular of all Christmas songs – I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas. A talented quartet of strong players is required to play the four main leads and, fitting the roles absolutely perfectly, were Neil Hutton (Bob Wallace) and Ross Leslie (Phil Davis), playing the two ex-army buddies. Ideally suited for their parts, both men were extremely at ease in their tap dancing routines and showed their terpsichorean art brilliantly in their respective Blue Skies and I Love A Piano numbers. As the singing sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes – effortlessly played by Gemma Sullivan and Amy Grieve, both ladies were outstanding in their acting, dancing, and singing solos with both putting over their Sisters number to great effect. Comedy is spread throughout the show and Jill Davidson impressed with her performance as the General’s nosey, sarcastic housekeeper, Martha Watson. Her wry, cynical, dialogue was delivered in quick fire delivery creating many laughs throughout her performance. On his every entrance, Paul Campbell made an imposing and respected General Waverly, and a Christmas “star” shone brightly throughout her performance in the shape of Susan, the general’s granddaughter, played with absolute charm by Marsha Smith, who received a great ovation for her parodied Let Me Sing And I’m Happy song. It all went wonderfully well with tremendous choral ensemble work – all leading to the “magic” Christmas  moment when the snow starts to fall and the magnificent Christmas finale set piece is brought into play at the show’s conclusion. With Christmas just weeks away, it left us all with a happy festive feeling. It was a real Christmas cracker!

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