Duo spreads the spirit of Christmas

Patrick Ledwell, Mark Haines looking forward to shows in three P.E.I. venues

When putting together their Christmas shows, comedian Patrick Ledwell and musician Mark Haines search for fresh selections each year.

It’s like an annual trek for the Christmas tree in the woods. They want the variety show to be new, with branches off in unexpected directions. Once decked, though, the whole thing has to pull together to capture that festive season Islanders love the most.

This year’s Christmas shows promise a rollicking tour through the sights and sounds of the holidays, with music, comedy, and storytelling. Haines will delight audiences with multiinstrumental talents, on fiddle, guitar, and piano, while Ledwell is whipping up a fresh batch of holiday merriment, including tips on how to Christmas shop on Kijiji and how to sing carols when you don’t actually know the words.

“We’re already hard at work on surprises for the holiday edition,” says Ledwell. “I’ve been in touch with lounge singer Terry Velour, by calling his number at the back of the Sears Wishbook. He’s booked to be there.”

This year, audiences can catch their show in three theatres.

“The Island Christmas

Review” runs Dec. 11-14 at Harmony House Theatre in Hunter River, the best-known performance venue for Ledwell and Haines. All Harmony House shows begin at 8 p.m.

The Ledwell and Haines Christmas Special will also be playing at the Celtic Performing Arts Centre, at the College of Piping in Summerside, today at 7:30 p.m. In addition, the duo will bringing the show to the Kings Playhouse in Georgetown at 7:30 on Dec. 20.

Show and ticketing details are available by getting in touch with the Kings Playhouse or the Celtic Performing Arts Centre.