Stage: We need a little Christmas

The Magic of Christmas
director Jordan Langford
with Vincent Hayes, Victoria Yellop, Andrew Robley, Lucy Reed, Samantha McNeil, Jake Lawrence, Charlotte Fage, Joe Payne
musicians Scott Hayes, Martin Layzell, Andy Pook
choreographer Jack Pallister
sets Chris Floyd, Shannon Topliss • costumes Zara Kattan
Brick Lane Music Hall, Silvertown, London
19.Nov-19.Dec.25 ★★★★

Having never experienced anything like this before, my first afternoon at the Brick Lane Music Hall was a steady stream of surprises, from the delicious three-course Christmas dinner to the riotously enjoyable vintage-style show that followed. This is a fully packed five hours in a fabulous venue, a church that has been converted into a quirky and cosy dinner theatre. I attended an afternoon lunch; evening performances include dancing afterwards.

Happily digesting the superbly prepared and served meal, the show kicks off with our host Vincent Hayes, who founded the venue, delivering a hilariously ribald comical riff that leans heavily into double entendres and sets the tone for a music hall variety show. What follows involves violinist Victoria Yellop, soaring tenor Andrew Robley and an ensemble of singers performing a very wide range of numbers with light choreography and a blinding array of colourful costume changes. This is old-school entertainment with the tone of a lively holiday party. And the songs range from popular classics (including a sing-song section featuring Yellow Submarine and Daydream Believer) to evergreen hits and traditional Christmas carols.

Bright-hued lights reflect off of the heavily sequinned outfits, with some added fireworks and confetti for good measure. Yellop plays a medley of Scottish classics on her violin, including Auld Lang Syne and a sparky Highland fling. There's some bell-ringing schtick. Hayes and Robley appear as choirboys with The Camp Him Book ("ah men") for some eyebrow-raising antics to Walking in the Air, which somewhat roughly segues into a lovely rendition of Silent Night/O Holy Night. Yes, the transitions are somewhat jarring, including the shift between sections featuring yee-haw country and western and beautiful movie standards.

The second half kicks off with a fabulous medley of pop Christmas classics from Mariah to Wham, including a terrific take on Fairytale of New York led by Jake Lawrence. And Hayes returns to stage as a middle-aged woman with another amusingly rude comedy set before his final transformation into an outrageous fairy princess. In other words, almost anything is possible in this show, and the audience was her for all of it. This is the energetic blast of holiday cheer that we all need.

For details, BRICK LANE MUSIC HALL >

photos courtesy Brick Lane Music Hall • 26.Nov.25