From the Grinch’s perspective The Christmas Show could be tolerable entertainment. No tears in the eye, none of the sappiest Christmas songs and not a lot of sentimental Christmas jibber jabber. But, the children love it.
The oft-jaded adults in the audience react to their earnest enthusiasm and give in to the blissful silliness of it all. The Old Liar could not bear the joyous singing, anyway.
Entertainment comes in many forms and the British holiday pantomime is a means of incorporating the "lot of them." Generally named The Christmas Show in order to cover a lot of ground, the audience is inundated with singing, dancing, fine orchestra, fiddle playing, tap dancing, sing-a-longs, comedy, romance, innuendo, interaction, and the odd drag queen.
A popular cast from Drayton Entertainment and the world beyond covers the larger than life characters that it takes to tell the tale of Christopher, a sad young man who has lost his belief in Christmas. His quest to regain it takes him on a tangled journey that incorporates pieces and characters from Dr. Seuss’s beloved The Grinch, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, and much more.
Christopher (Kraig Waye) starts off on a magical train and arrives in Hoo-ville, where he meets Cindy Lou (Ange Pagano). They promptly fall in love and set off on a ship to the North Pole to save Santa’s kidnapped helpers – all in a day’s work onstage.
Keith Savage is Flinch, the "decidedly unpleasant", thwarting villain of the show whom the audience loves to hate with fervour.
With Bryan Foster’s appearance on stage as Sarah the Cook, the laughter begins before he even opens his mouth, and just after he twitters on stage.
Fred Stinson, well known children’s television performer, fires the audience up as Muddles, shipmate and annoyance to all including Captain Hoo, played heartily by David Ludwig. Muddles grows on the audience with his obvious joy and enthusiasm, especially when telling lame jokes (what do you get when you add ice to ink?) and gathering eager children from the audience to partake in the fun onstage .
Karen Edissi and her personality shine through in her dual roles as Spirit of the Bells and Mrs. Claus.
The Guse Family add to the din with their boisterous tapping, fiddling, and singing. Their rendition of Greensleeves would have King Henry VIII himself shaking a leg.
The Christmas Show was skillfully written, directed, and choreographed by Trudy Moffatt.
A great ensemble cast and chorus of 20 local children of various sizes help to add to the spectacle.
Music director Peter Aylin leads the unseen but wonderful orchestra through a musical workout.
Tickets can still be ordered by calling 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. Visit www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com.
