UK Theatre Network

WHITE CHRISTMAS

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE THEATRE 

Sunderland Empire kicks off the festive season in the North East of England with a magnificently-staged production of White Christmas. Based upon the 1954 musical film of the same name, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, this slick, sassy and sophisticated stage show premiered in San Francisco in 2004 and toured America before taking Broadway by storm in the 2008/09 Christmas season. Here, in the United Kingdom, it debuted at Plymouth and Southampton during the 2006/07 season and went on to play at Edinburgh and Cardiff (2007/08 season), Plymouth and Manchester (2009/10 season) and it is now here in Sunderland until the beginning of next year.

It tells the story of two Army buddies who make the big-time with a regular slot on the Ed Sullivan show but then decide to put on a gala concert in an effort to save a magical Vermont inn, owned by their former General, from financial ruin and find their perfect mates in the process. The plot is straightforward and simple yet also engaging enough to keep the audience interested throughout.

Tom Chambers (fresh from his success at winning the 2008 series of Strictly Come Dancing and lead roles in Waterloo Road and Holby City) takes on the role immortalised by the legendary Bing Crosby, whilst Adam Cooper (from Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Billy Elliott and a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet) steps into the shoes of Danny Kaye. Both can certainly sell a song and a dance, but it was Cooper who seemed most comfortable on stage and somewhat outshone the lead male.

Rachel Stanley and Louise Bowden take on the parts of Betty and Judy Haynes, a singing sister act who provide the main romantic interests for Bob Wallace (Chambers) and Phil Davis (Cooper). Much of the comedy relief comes from Ken Kercheval (who is still instantly recognisable from his days of soap super-stardom playing Cliff Barnes in Dallas) as the kind-hearted blustering buffoon, General Henry Waverly, and his larger-than-life Ethel Merman-esque hotel concierge, Martha Watson (fantastically portrayed by Kerry Washington).

However, the efforts and abilities of the stellar cast were almost outdone by the huge personality of little Millie Thornton – a true star-in-the-making – who stole every scene she appeared in as Susan Waverly, the General’s granddaughter.

It has to be acknowledged that Irving Berlin’s score is as much a star as any of the performers, boasting some of the greatest songs ever written – Happy Holiday, Sisters, Let Me Sing and I’m Happy, Blue Skies, How Deep is the Ocean, I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm and, of course, White Christmas. Each and every one of them are impeccably delivered by the principals, a tap-dancing ensemble of more than thirty and a dynamic 17-piece orchestra, under the musical direction of Robert Scott.

Special mention must also be made of the stunning sets, designed by Anna Louizos, authentic costumes by Carrie Robbins and breathtaking choreography by Randy Skinner, which all add an element of additional pizzazz to the proceedings.

This evergreen sentimental yuletide yarn is a sumptuous seasonal spectacular that brims with the festive feel-good-factor, guaranteeing that ‘the days be merry and bright’ until New Year’s Day, 2011.

Steve Burbridge.

Runs until Saturday 1^st January 2011.