White Christmas
Scrooges and bah humbugs might want to look away now, because Christmas has well and truly arrived at London’s Dominion Theatre.
The 1954 film of Irving Berlin’s musical White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, has to be one of the greatest loved festive flicks of all time, which in turn makes it something of a risky choice for a live stage show adaptation. As we took our seats in the beautiful auditorium, which lends itself perfectly to the old-school glamour of the show, audience members were already feverishly expressing their concerns that it wouldn’t live up to the much-loved Hollywood classic. But by the interval, it seemed that all such apprehensions had melted away like snow (“snow! Snowwww!” Sorry…).
Roughly based on the aforementioned film and on the book by David Ives and Paul Blake, the production was first staged in the US two decades ago followed by a sell-out run at the Curve in Leicester last year. The plot follows army vets Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, a successful musical double act after the war, who meet performing sisters Judy and Betty Haynes. The foursome travel to a not-so snowy Vermont for the holidays and end up putting on a show to save a failing inn, which just so happens to be owned by the boys’ former General, and as per any self-respecting Christmas film, love is also in the air. Brought to life by director Nikolai Foster (Annie, Breakfast at Tiffany's) and two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins), it’s an old fashioned and heart-warming putting-on-a-show tale, sprinkled with snow, sparkle, and plenty of festive cheer.
Danny Mac (Sunset Boulevard, Strictly Come Dancing Finalist) and Olivier-nominated Dan Burton (Gypsy, Singin' in the Rain) shine as Wallace and Davis, and make a charismatic and energetic double act; both dance, sing and shine like old school movie star pros, the cool and collected Mac particularly capturing the Hollywood star quality of Bing Crosby. Danielle Hope (BBC's Over The Rainbow winner) and Clare Halse (Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street) as sisters Betty and Judy Haynes also deliver captivating glitz and glamour – the blue feather-filled Sisters is a treat, Halse’s dance routines are a wonder and Hope plays the feisty Betty with aplomb (and her chemistry with Mac is electric).
Elsewhere, Olivier Award-nominated Michael Brandon (Dempsey and Makepeace, Jerry Springer: The Opera) makes you want to hug his loveable General Henry Waverly, and the hilarious Brenda Edwards (We Will Rock You, Chicago, ITV's Loose Women), who plays the General’s warm and witty concierge Martha, is a powerhouse; the whole audience quite literally roared with applause following her storming solo, Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.
The entire company demonstrate serious talent and they work hard; the big numbers where the entire cast fill the stage - toe tapping, twirling and jazz hands aplenty - are wonderfully captivating and undeniably enjoyable; both Blue Skies and The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing are magical, musical spectaculars. And whilst the production offers plenty of sparkle and showbiz, beneath the surface there is tenderness too; Bob and Betty’s Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep is beautifully delivered (and meaningful in its message too), and the subtle relationship between Martha and the General is really rather touching.
Act One felt around 10 minutes too long, and there was a missed opportunity during The Old Man not to have the General’s former GIs fill the auditorium (several audience members, myself included, all looked round in anticipation) but judging by the various sets, glitzy costumes, wonderful live band and 22-strong cast, I suspect that enough had already been spent on this lavish production.
The finale, in true homage to the film (spoiler alert!), ends with the entire company singing a heart-warming, snow-filled rendition of the unbeatable White Christmas, which was hard not to croon along to. After an enthusiastic standing ovation, the audience piled out on Tottenham Court Road, all merrily wishing each other a happy Christmas as they went. If you’re looking for a festive, feel-good feast for the eyes, and a charm-filled show that will make your days feel merry and bright this Christmas; then look no further.
On now until Jan 4 at The Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Rd, W1T 7AQ whitechristmasthemusical.co.uk. Published on Essential Surrey & SW London
