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Christmas in London
Verdict: Glowing basket of Christmas delights
London - Jermyn Street Theatre - December 02
16-20 December at 1pm (to 2.15pm)
Here's a real Christmas delight. An hour's worth of lunchtime wit and glorious song. From Coward to Dickens,
Tom Lehrer to angel Gabriel getting his bottom attacked, it's a funny (and moving) set of quirky Christmas
items that'll release you from the theatre with a (ribald) song in your heart.
If you like Christmas, and especially if you incline to bah humbug, here's one to savour.
Material includes: Christmas Comes But Once a Year (John Dalby), Cries of London (Lionel Bart arr John Dalby),
Pudding Recipe (Anon), A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens), Festive Fare (Anon), Past Three O'Clock (GR Woodward),
The Night Before Christmas (Anon), Christmas Morning (George R Sims),
Carols in The Abbey (The Times 1916, Chant: John Dalby),
Christmas Day in The Workhouse (George R Sims),
We Need A Little Christmas (Jerry Herman),
Mistletoe (Walter de la Mare), Albert Hall (Anon), I'm Going To Get Lit Up (Hubert Gregg), A Christmas Carol (Tom Lehrer),
Kissing Bough (Anon), Shopping Song (Harnick and Bock), London Snow (Paul Theroux), The Snowman (Howard Blake),
Adrian Mole (Sue Townsend), London Pride (Noel Coward arr John Dalby), Christmas in NW1 (Alan Bennett),
Carol (John Whitworth), The Party Next Door (Ogden Nash), Hangover Remedy (Anon), Deck The Hall (Trad arr David Willcocks),
Jermyn Street Poem (Charmian May).
Each actor performs many roles, some examples: Elizabeth Cassie delights delivering the Party Next Door with fine distain.
Louise James, in pretty velvet dress looks far too lady-like to be delivering sound advice on remedies for severe hangovers
(but she does). Jo Nesbitt does excellent rosebud lips as various precocious children, and sings a fine solo in The
Snowman. Barry Rocard, resplendent with beard that's between Santa and Mephistopheles, is a forthright beggar in the
workhouse. The elegant and dignfied Gillian Royale confesses that after 'four Martinis, I'm under the host'.
Antony Da Silva's a fine aggrieved parent when his little one's demoted in the infant nativity play by the illegitimate
daughter of Tracy the ex-cleaner. Chris Vincent's a perfect Adrian Mole and hilarious infant Angel Gabriel.
Pretty Kate Winder, with curly hair and elegant long scarf (no doubt for strangling Tracy), reveals a sure comic touch
as the composure slips from her mum of the ex-Madonna. Colin Zammit, recites, sings and acts with conviction and authority.
Credits: Cast (alpha order): Elizabeth Cassie, Louise James, Jo Nesbitt, Barry Rocard, Gillian Royale, Antony Da Silva,
Chris Vincent, Kate Winder, Colin Zammit. Director - Gillian Royale. Musical Director/Conductor - Peter Dodsworth, who
plays the piano note-perfect, often standing up. Lights and sound - Peter Malone.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 16 December 02 / Jermyn Street Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2013
www.fringereport.com
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