A Christmas Wish
The Irish Theatre Players are a long established theatre club, but their current production, A Christmas Wish, is their first time doing a pantomime. Written and directed by Noel O’Neil, A Christmas Wish is a pantomime and a parable for our times. Very much written with 2020 in mind, it features lovely songs, a whole heap of “dad jokes” and pantomime groaners and a very likeable collection of characters - brought to life by a talented, hardworking cast.
The show is narrated by Elf on the Shelf, Andy. Personable and friendly, he is capably acted by Shivas Lindsay and his presence throughout ties together the show nicely.
Act One is set in a home for wayward children. Presided over by the nasty Penelope Crab and her husband Rudolf, the children within are treated very badly. Mrs Crab is our panto dame - very nicely performed by James Hagan- looking fabulous. Drunken husband Rudolf (a person - not a reindeer, although they share a red nose), is played with lovely timing by writer/director Noel O’Neil. The children are beautiful - a group of 9 who line up Von Trapp style and have lovely rapport. Great singing, beautifully drilled with some lovely individual characterisations from Piers Motherway (a lovely solo), Luke Chappell, Evie Madeleine, Lily McKeown, Stephen Walsh, Ciara (Kia) Walsh, Teagan Chang, Nina McKeown and Sophia Lindsay.
In Act Two the King and Queen have invited the citizens to Old MacDonald’s barn for an important announcement regarding the current pandemic. We meet Little Boy Blue - recovering from the disease that turns people blue - and learn some lessons about friendship. Rory Buckley is a lovely King - and someone should send a recording of his speech to Premier Mark McGowan, who may find some aspects familiar. Caroline McDonnell is “fwightfully” delightful Queenie. Princess Rebecca is given sweetness and lovely vocals by Lily McKeown. The very sad and lonely Little Boy Blue is played with poignancy and beautiful voice by Evie Madeleine, with Vivienne Marshall very nice as his kind mother. Rex Gray completes a very busy latter half of 2020 as the famous Old McDonald and Stan O’Neill completes the cast with a lovely cameo as the man in red.
Clever staging gives us a nice scenic reveal after interval without the need for a scene change, with effective light and sound by Nathan Holland and Josie Hacking. Lynda Stubbs’ costuming is excellent, with Mrs Crab’s frock, the costumes of the Royal Family and Little Boy Blue’s suit being particularly impressive.
The show is well accompanied by Musical Director Jen Whyte, on keyboard.
The atmosphere, as always at the Irish Theatre, is superb and the show gives us some lovely messages and thoughts of absent family and friends - particularly touching for many of the cast and Irish Theatre Members this year. It is very hard to get a ticket, but those who do will enjoy this sweet Christmas treat.
Kimberley Shaw
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