Concordia puts on perfect show
Miracle, with added songs, gets everyone in the festive mood
A PERFECT starter for a very merry Christmas was on offer at the Hinckley Concordia Theatre last week, when a theatre fundraising production of Miracle On 34th Street took to the stage,
Based on the classic film of the same name, but with the added bonus of lots of family favourite Christmas songs included, it proved just the aperitif you wanted to start off the festive season in fine style.
The cynics could say it was schmaltzy and oh so obviously contrived to ensure the songs fitted in, but so what!
The capacity audiences of all ages loved it and came out wishing it ‘really could be Christmas every day’.
If you are not familiar with the story it involves Kris Kringle, who becomes Santa in the famous New York department store Maceys; but unlike some Santas who may help him out, he states he is the real thing. And Kris did not disappoint by doing a great job.
Helping him all the way was Mark Benn as Fred, a just retired serviceman who is trying to return to his law career. Along the way, he ensures his neighbour’s daughter Susan, (Olivia Bevington) meets Santa Kris and becomes a believer.
But this does not go down too well with her jaundiced mother Doris (Keeley Mays), who has always been in the no way camp.
Mark was his usual reliable presence and his cheekily delivered rendition of It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas when he knows his attrac- tive next door neighbour is coming round to discuss her daughter and the Santa situation was hilarious.
When he, Keeley and Olivia sang All I Want For Christmas Is You was another heartwarming moment.
Kris was not to be left out though as his I Believe really brought the house down.
Adding to the show was a great quartet of backing singers who oohed and aahed with the best of them and Peter Barber played an effective highly charged Mr Macey.
Steve Gunn was a comical and bemused Judge Gunn, while Emma-Jayne Gladman as the perplexed DA trying to prove Kris was an impostor added to the mix.
But hey after this show, who couldn’t believe in Father Christmas, especially after Mark sang such a great version of the perennial Greg Lake classic of the same name.