PFT is delighted to bring to Scotland`s theatre-goers the Scottish première production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – The Musical: the greatest Christmas show ever! Read more …
When Broadway song-and-dance stars Bob Wallace and Phil Davis discover that their old commanding officer from World War Two, General Waverley, is struggling to make a go of running an inn in Vermont, they decide there`s only one thing to do – take their spectacular new show to the Columbia Inn and drum up some much needed business.
Little do they know that they are destined to end up in a tangled romantic quartet under the mistletoe with two singing sisters!
With an ensemble of 20 talented performers and a dynamic 10 piece orchestra, this sparkling stage adaptation of the classic 1954 movie (starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) is packed with classic Irving Berlin hits like Snow, Sisters, Blue Skies, What Can You Do With A General?, How Deep Is The Ocean, The Old Man and the unforgettable title song, White Christmas.
A packed theatre, a standing ovation and broad smiles everywhere. A White Christmas to dream about.
Some of the acting is less persuasive than the singing and, by going for a more generic West End-style cast, Durnin loses the quirky individuality that has distinguished some Pitlochry musicals. But Martine McMenemy and Grant Neal make adorable romantic leads, choreographer Chris Stuart-Wilson keeps the movement brisk and entertaining, and the whole show sends the audience home with a happy festive buzz.
What gives Durnin’s production its real wow-factor, though, is the quality of the dancing and design, backed by an immaculate performance from musical director Hilary Brooks and her band.
After a couple of not entirely happy forays into the world of pantomime in his attempts to make his theatre a year-round destination, not just a summer one, Durnin has without doubt hit the jackpot this time.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry from Wednesday December 5, 2012, until Sunday December 23, 2012. More info: www.pitlochry.org.uk
RSS feed of Theatre reviews