What’s it all about?
Setting the mood for the festive season. Yes, I know it’s only November but if John Lewis has its Christmas ad out I can wear my Christmas jumper with pride.
The story, based on the Bing Crosby film, is one of loyalty, love and Christmas miracles, as soldiers turned song and dance stars Bob Wallace and Phil Davis come to the aid of their former general who now runs a failing ski lodge.
Who’s in it?
Just in case the show wasn’t Christmassy enough already, Aled Jones leads the cast as the uptight, romantically awkward Wallace. His voice has deepened remarkably since he recorded The Snowman’s Walking In The Air – disappointing, I know – but now boasts the ideal smooth richness to follow Crosby with a rendition of the title song that could warm a snowman’s heart. Jones also boasts an unwavering geniality that fits perfectly with the pleasant tale.
Tom Chambers plays the endearing rogue as partner and pal Davis, bringing a twinkle and a winning smile to the stage but never giving the womanising half of the double act too much edge.
Graham Cole, as the retired soldier unsuited to civilian life, is gruffer than an angry billy goat, while Wendi Peters revels in the role of his foil, the big voiced, big personality-ed concierge/faux wife Martha Watson.
What should I look out for?
Chambers coming into his own – and his tap shoes coming out of the cupboard – in Act II opener I Love A Piano, which features a Steinway so tiny it’ll make audience members of a certain age search for Schroeder.
Leading ladies Rachel Stanley and Louise Bowden coming into their own with the gorgeous harmonies of Act II’s second number Falling Out Of Love Can Be Fun.
Jones and Chambers having far too much fun with feathered fans, taking on the female roles in Act II’s third number Sister.
Yep, the start of Act II is a winner.
In a nutshell?
Pass me the mince pies, the festive season has kicked off with a classic slice of snow-capped seasonal escapism.
What’s being said on Twitter?
@StephenIDavies Everyone see #WhiteChristmas just to see @WendiPeters steal the show. She is phenomenal. I hope she gets remembered award time. #amazing
@Jamesy_Moo #WhiteChristmas made me want all of the mince pies and all of the mulled wine NOW. Going home to put up the tree and roll in tinsel.
Will I like it?
White Christmas does exactly what you’d expect it to do: stylish full company dance numbers straight out of the golden age, enough schmaltz to satisfy any avid fan of seasonal films, and – whisper it – a smattering of snow for good measure. Unless you’re a descendant of Scrooge it’ll have you feeling more festive than a tinsel-draped elf singing Silent Night atop a massive Christmas pud. Even in November.
White Christmas plays at the Dominion Theatre until 3 January. You can book tickets through us here.