06 December 2011 (Theatre Review)

Words: Lauren O'Toole

White Christmas
Written by: David Ives and Paul Blake
Music by: Irving Berlin
Venue: The Grand Canal Theatre
Cast: Aled Jones, Adam Cooper, Louise Plowright, Ken Farrington
Dates: Until the 17th of December
Prices: €20 - €50
Star Rating: 4/5

It's all very beautiful in theory; this once allusive white Christmas. Walking through a glistening white landscape, snow crunching underfoot, the faint laughter of children ice skating on a nearby frozen lake as you hurry home to a warming cup of mulled spiced wine. We all learned the harsh reality however as the last two years of snowfall had us creeping at a snail's pace over treacherously icy footpaths as we were pummelled with snowballs by devious brats and hurrying home to any sort of soothing alcoholic beverage was not an option with traffic tailbacks as far as the eye could see. It was quite a feat then for Irving Berlin's musical White Christmas, now on in The Grand Canal, to conjure up a vivid image of a winter wonderland so enticing that it obliterated any bad feeling that may linger from our last two experiences of "white Christmases". And yet White Christmas is more than successful in redeeming the reputation of the snow, and is single-handedly responsible for me obsessively stalking accuweather ever since trying to spot any sign of the white stuff.

The production immediately goes straight for its desired destination - the heart strings - with an opening scene unashamedly dripping in good old fashioned nostalgia. Its 1944 and Phil, played by Adam Cooper and Bob, Aled Jones, are celebrating Christmas Eve against the backdrop of World War Two, regaling each other and their fellow soldiers with Christmas songs and comic routines. Their attempts to drown out the noise of falling bombs and the loneliness stemming from being away from their families are futile alas, and the much respected General Waverly takes to the stage to boost their morale with thoughts of future Christmases spent at home.

Fast forward to 1955: Phil and Bob have recast themselves as television entertainers and they tap dance, pirouette and sparkle across a TV studio with the backdrop of bombs and troops replaced by pastel suits and pretty chorus girls. They appear to have it all but have yet to find two lucky ladies to share their happiness - cue a plot line that won't stretch your brain but is accommodating to myriad fun and camp musical numbers. With his head turned by the beautiful Judy, one of the singing Haynes sisters they meet in an audition for their TV show, Phil tricks Bob into following them to Pine Tree Vermont where all four would be lovers decide to work alongside locals in a bid to produce a Christmas Show in a barn.

White Christmas is as cheesy as can be and thus perfect fodder for this time of year. With an all-round talented cast who would put many other musical ensembles to shame, a set that is consistently spectacular and a score that will get you into the Christmas spirit with gusto it is the perfect theatre outing for anyone wishing to restore their faith in a white Christmas, tailbacks or no tailbacks.
 

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