White Christmas. Book by David Ives & Paul Blake. Music & Lyrics by Irving Berling. Based on the Paramount film. The Mill at Sonning, until 25 January 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raitt.

White Christmas. Book by David Ives & Paul Blake. Music & Lyrics by Irving Berling. Based on the Paramount film. The Mill at Sonning, Reading until 25 January 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“A Christmas treat.”

The grand daddy of stage musicals based on old film musicals – it began in San Francisco in 2004, failed to dazzle Broadway in 2008 and, came here in 2006  when it was taken to the nation's heart. There have been several revivals, some in the West End, and this latest one should keep audiences at this splendid dinner theatre venue happy as Larry, whoever he was. The seven strong band under Jae Alexander produce the big band sound Berlin's songs require, and director Jonathon O'Boyle keeps it all fizzing along splendidly, ensuring that his 14 strong cast leave one under the impression it is twice as large. The costumes are lavish, there is tap dancing, and there are, of course, those songs including Sisters, I Love a Piano, Count Your Blessings instead of Sheep, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, How Deep is the Ocean and, of course, the title one. At the end the snow falls on the audience and everyone joins in. The 1954 film, in spite of having Crosby and Kaye as Bob and Phil, a celebrated double act who follow a female double act, sisters Judy and Betty – Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney - to a Vermont lodge with no snow to find it belongs to General Waverly their old commanding officer, and is in deep financial trouble, was no great shakes to start with, It was considered humdrum saved only by its stars. But O'Boyle and his cast turn the base metal of the stage version into theatrical gold. They do what one does – stage a show in the nearest barn and invite all their one time army mates to come along. The male leads played byConnor Hughes and Jason Kajdi are good, although if they were ever a celebrated double act in variety or on any stage I am a Dutchman, and Nic Myers and Gabriella Williams as the sisters, with the best wigs ever, sparkle. Nobody quite stops the show but Shirley Jameson as the obligatory old broad such movies always had – she plays the General's receptionist book keeper and one time army friend  – is a belter who belts her numbers gloriously. Sometimes base metal can in the right hands turn into precious metal and  O'Boyle, Alexander and choreographer Gary Lloyd prove they have the necessary hands. White Christmas will never be a great show in its own right, but this lates revival is a terrific addition to Sonning's list of hit musical productions – a treat in every respect.

Cast

Eliot Allinson – Mike.

Natasha V Cayabas – Susan.

Grace Chan – Swing.

Mark Curry – General Waverly.

Connor Hughes – Phil.

Shem Omari James – Sheldrake.

Shirley Jameson – Martha.#

Jason Kajdi – Bob.

Greta McKinnon -Rhoda.

Nic Myers – Judy.Lewis – Rae Ezekiel.

Jack Speck – Swing.

Eleaonor Walsh – Rita.

Gabriella Williams – Betty.

Creatives

Director – Jonathan O'Boyle.

Set Designer – Jason Deenviz.

Choreographer – Gary Lloyd.

Costume Designer – Natalie Titchener.

Lighting Designer – David Howe.

Sound Designer – Chris Whybrow.