"Christmas Cheer"

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

I have had the absolute pleasure of reviewing some amazing shows throughout 2023, and here we are at the final theatre show of the year, for me.

This year I've seen musicals old, new, obscure and classic. I've seen plays, classic, comedic, mystery, horror, panto and drag cabaret. I've enjoyed every single one of them and this year have exceeded the amount of shows reviewed annually since I first started reviewing, twenty three years ago; "Christmas Cheer 2023" being the 167th show this year.

This show is the equivalent of the 1970's tv advert for Ready Brek. For those who aren't quite as old as myself, the commercial dubs the milky breakfast cereal as central heating for kids because it leaves you with a warm cosy feeling inside, and that is how I felt when I came out of this Christmas show.

Not only did I reconnect with friends that I've not seen for a long while, but I got to be entertained by people who believe in sharing; sharing their immense talent and sharing the joy of Christmas.

This is not going to be one of those long deep dives into a theatre show, it'll be more of a thank you to the cast and everyone involved at the Nottingham Arts Theatre, not only for the great work they've done over the last year, but for igniting a festive spark in me.

Christmas, for most people, is the most wonderful time of the year, and this Christmas song was re-iterated by the company at the start of the proceedings. The abridged story of the Nativity was retold in sections by some of the cast with festive favourites like "Mary's Boy Child", "Mistletoe And Wine", "Jingle Bell Rock", "Merry Christmas Everyone" and ending with a tribute to Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColl with a rousing version of "Fairytale Of New York" which had everyone singing along.

A selection of hymns and carols were also interspersed into the proceedings including "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", "Once In Royal David's City", "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and "Ding Dong Merrily On High" among them.

There was a section of Christmas Cracker jokes, poems, readings, a comical audience inspired improvised version of "The 12 Days Of Christmas", a boozy cookery section that I am sure Mary Berry wouldn't have approved of, but maybe Fanny Craddock would have, and a powerful version of "Stars" from "Les Miserables", one of the shows the Arts Theatre are staging in 2024, performed by Preston Nash.

There were familiar voices as well as fresh voices, making for a really interesting mix and there were faces both old and new, all welcomed by an audience who were all set to welcome in Christmas 2023.

So here is where I get the pleasure of thanking the stars of "Christmas Cheer 2023" who bought exactly that, Christmas cheer.

Shantanu Bhumbra, Roy Smith, Barry Hobbs, Arlo Perrons, Marie Rogers, Bertie Black, Kate Russell, Erin Atlas, Glenise Ellis, Sophie Benner, Olivia Bonham, Preston Nash, Isobel Munden, Daisy Donoghue, Hannah Enderby, Hermione Cumbers, Harriet Campion and Amy Rogers-Gee.

The Nottingham Arts Theatre Youth Group selection consisted of Amelie, Betsy, Elizabeth, Esmie, Flo, Imogen, Isobel, Lennie, Mia, Thomas and Zilpha.

Lighting for this show was by Oliver Read and the sound was by Evanne Webster.

As with all local theatre productions, the staff who work offstage are just as important to the success of a show as the performers on stage and behind the stage, so thank you to the Front Of House staff tonight who were Alannah Knight, Rachel Faulkner, Tilly Wishart, William Russell and Zoe Carter. Thank you for being the welcoming face of the Nottingham Arts Theatre.

To everyone involved in this magical night of music and comedy, thank you, and have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2024.