Wrap in tinsel & down the sherry
JUST like a cute little puppy, Boulevard isn’t just for Christmas, but if there’s one time of year when the Newcastle cabaret palace takes thing up a notch you can guarantee it’s the festive season.
And they don’t even wait until December to treat their audiences to some Yuletide high kicking and high jinks.
Like that neighbour who has their tree up and their garish flashing outdoor lights up early year after year, Boulevard’s cast have been getting into the spirit of the season practically since Halloween.
But don’t worry if you haven’t paid a visit to the Churchill Street haunt yet as there are more opportunities than ever to see the Christmas Spectacular this year.
And with that in mind, I’m not going to reveal too much in this review, consider this a relatively spoiler free zone.
In the words of Boulevard’s hostess, the inimitable Miss Rory, after seeing the show “you will feel like you’ve been hit head on by the Coca Cola truck.”
In fact it’ll only take the first number for you to feel like you’ve unwrapped your presents, had your turkey dinner and are now eyeing up the tin of Quality Street in the corner of the living room.
And that’s because from the get-go, the Christmas Spectacular is like a a veritable cheese board of festive frolics.
When a show starts with a medley including It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Deck The Halls, Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas, you might as well wrap yourself in tinsel and reach for the sherry.
The revue will test even the biggest of Scrooge’s bah humbug stance towards the festive season and even if you’re not the biggest fan of Christmas, who doesn’t love a bit of ABBA?
Yes, hot on the heels of the success of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, there is a high octane tribute to Agnetha, Frid, Benny and Bjorn with jump suit clad medley of some of their biggest hits.
Taking things bang up to date, The Greatest Showman medley which was a highlight of Boulevard’s Summer Show and went down a storm at Newcastle Pride is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving - with This Is Me, From Now and Come Alive all in there as leading lady Danni Dee dons a beard and rocks it in fine fashion.
No Christmas show is complete without a bit of Mariah and while Ms Carey isn’t heading to Newcastle on her the latest tour, she’s represented in true Boulevard style.
As well as Miss Rory always being relied on to welcome audiences with her own brand of hospitality - hairdressers and people from Stanley beware! - Boulevard have become synonymous with lavish finales and 2018’s Christmas curtain call might just be their best yet.
Oh and you’ll get the added bonus of fake snow if you’re in standing too, so even if we don’t get a white Christmas for real, you can look like you’ve just stepped out of the Last Christmas video.
I say this every time I go to Boulevard but the choreography - this time done in everything from reindeer outfits to Hawaiian shirts - is always insanely good and add to that routines that will wow you and have you thinking you’re at your office Christmas do in equal measure and you have the recipe for the ideal festive night out!
P.S - you can now get your photo in a Boulevard bauble!
Boulevard Christmas Spectacular is on until January 6 with shows pretty much every night over the festive period. To book visit the Boulevard website or ring 0191 250 7068.