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A CurtainUp 
London Review
London ReviewWhite Christmas
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"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know Where the tree tops glisten And children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow." — Lyrics to "White Christmas" |
Rachel Stanley as Betty and Aled Jones as Bob (Photo: Alastair Muir)
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Tom Chambers who was nominated for an Olivier for his role as best actor in a musical for Top Hat takes the other male lead, Phil Davis. He won the sixth series of the BBC celebrity dance contest Strictly Come Dancing. The dance is from original choreographer Randy Skinner and is a highlight of the show with Tom Chambers demonstrating Fred Astaire type skills. Chambers is tall dark and handsome and we can understand why Judy falls for him.
The two sisters Betty and Judy Haynes (Rachel Stanley and Louise Bowden) delight both as singers and dancers in the famous song "Sisters". British soap star Wendi Peters can really belt them out as Martha the concierge of the Vermont hotel run by Bob and Phil's old commanding officer from the army (Graham Cole).
The dance number for " Blue Skies" has the men in cream suits with hats and the girls in the same outfits without the trousers and of course the famous backdrop of blue skies! "Sisters" has the girls with enormous ostrich fans and surprisingly fully clothed behind the fans as they sing about sibling affection. Look out too for the tap dancing in "I Love A Piano"which opens the second act.
Many of the songs are classics, well known songs from "Count Your Blessings", "How Deep is the Ocean"and of course the title song, "White Christmas" and the closing number "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm". While Aled Jones can sing I couldn't see any sexual chemistry between him and Betty and his stage posture is rather unbending and solidly square. Perhaps he needs some Val Doonican cardigans instead of the grey suits. Gone are the days when even in the opera the public were prepared to listen to beautiful music coming from those who didn't act.
The sets are fit for purpose, the train carriage, the dressing room, the New York nightclub, the hotel lobby but no more exciting than that, although when the barn doors open, the snow is spectacular. Did I mention the snow machine blowing snow onto the public as they arrive for the show to get us into the seasonal spirit? Looking at the pictures of the New York costumes, they look identical to the London ones, lots of red and white with all the fur trimmings and quite lavish. I suspect they may all be copies from the 1950s film.
You can be completely safe taking children and the generation who doesn't like risque jokes or bad language to see White Christmas. While White Christmas probably won't win any awards, it will give a large number of people a feel good Christmas treat with some of the feel, song and dance of a big Hollywood musical.
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| White Christmas
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin Book by David Ives and Paul Blake Based on the Paramount Pictures film Directed by Morgan Young Original US Production directed by Walter Bobbie Starring: Aled Jones, Tom Chambers, Jonathan Halliwell, Graham Cole, Rachel Stanley, Louise Bowden, Wendi Peters, Tatum Confrey/Sophia Pettit/Emily Robbins/Amy Snudden With: Brendan Cull, Vikki-Marie Ryan, Lucinda Lawrence, Michelle Bishop, Vicki Davids, Ross McLaren, Matthew Cheney, Lori Haley Fox, Phil Cole, Stuart Winter Children: Grace Doherty, Annie Guy, Gemma Fray, Ivy Pratt, Harry Marcus, Ben Mineard, Tommy Rodger, Josh Shadbolt Set Designed by Anna Louizos Costume Design: Carrie Robbins Choreographer: Randy Skinner Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Bruce Pomohac Orchestration by Larry Blank Musical Director: Andrew Corcoran Sound Design: Clement Rawling Video Design by Treatment Lighting Design: Ken Billington Running time: Two hours 50 minutes with one interval Box Office: 0845 200 7982 Booking to 3rd January 2015 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on November 12th 2014 performance at the Dominion, Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0AG (Tube: Tottenham Court Road) |
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Act One
Preceded by White Christmas sung by Ralph Sheldrake
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Act Two
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