Christmas is Magical

It's another 5 star show! HERALD EXPRESS REVIEW by Paul Levie

‘Christmas Is Magical’ is another rip-roaring, rib-tickling success for the Babbacombe Theatre – despite the Indian summer and soaring temperatures outside on opening night.

It was feel-good festive fun that left you smiling all the way home and fills you up to the brim with seasonal spirit.

And one sketch alone literally did just that.  A hilarious ‘boozy’ take on the ‘Twelve Days’ of Christmas, was worth the entrance money on its own.

With a superb cast around them, this is a showcase for the remarkable talents of two home-grown stars – funny man Steve Laister and the lovely Lily Laight.  And the terrific twosome made the stage buzz all night.

Producer and director Colin Matthews describes Laister in the programme notes as a cross between the likes of Roy Castle and Peter Sellers.  But you could have added a whole host of names such as Bruce Forsyth, Russ Abbot and Larry Grayson.

Lily was just sublime – looking like a young Reese Witherspoon, singing like a young Elaine Paige and dancing like a young Ginger Rogers.  She’s already conquered Hollywood and the West End.  And she’s still only 15.

The versatile cast tackled just about everything between them – making it seem there were a lot more of them then there actually were.

Singer Lindsey Collard has a wonderful voice, but was no slouch when it came to comedy, doing something I’ve never seen anyone have the courage to attempt before.  She performed a word-perfect rendition of Victoria Wood’s signature song ‘Let’s Do It’ and brought the house down.

Wayne ‘Champagne’ Martin also showed his great range of talents tackling everything from Christmas ballads to an hilarious skit on Benny Hill.

And illusionist Daniel Dean showed that he could ham it up with the best of ‘em when he joined Steve Laister and Wayne Martin in some uproarious comedy threesomes.

Last but not least were six magical dancers, aptly named Danze Magique.  They never put a foot wrong all night despite some outrageous antics going on around them.  They were graceful, sexy and stylish – but really joined in the fun when called upon.

The costumes were marvellous throughout, the choreography perfect and the slick directional skills of Matthews himself meant that you hardly stop to take a breath throughout the show.

A great Christmas present from the Babbacombe Theatre.

 

The Babbacombe Theatre have done it again. MID DEVON ADVERTISER REVIEW by Rose Howes

 After seeing the summer show I was really looking forward to the Christmas show, and it didn't fail to deliver.

The versatility of the cast who sing, dance and entertain their way through the evening, is something they do again and again. With something for everyone a truly multi-generational show, I say this as my mother and my daughter joined me for this trip to the theatre.

Now I have said before, that Steve Laister is a very funny and talented entertainer, and the more I see him perform the more I stand by my opinion. He has a way with the audience that is so easy going, by the time you leave, you feel like old friends.

Lilly Laight returns to the theatre, it is hard to remember she is only 15 and has performed on the Westend stage in Matilda and has appeared in Doc Martin. An amazing talent.

My daughter Megan, being only 14, and having not seen Benny Hill on television, I did wonder when Wayne ‘Champagne’ Martin made his appearance as the afore mentioned comedian if she would appreciate the performance? She did and laughed throughout. With a hysterical tribute to the late great Victoria Wood, Lindsey Collard, has the facial expressions and mannerisms of this wonderful comedienne.

The first half finishes with ‘What’s your Tipple,’ a drunken round the world version of 12 Days of Christmas, truly brilliant and very funny, with audience participation going a little out of the window as you start to laugh.

You’ve heard of Elf on the Shelf, Elf on the stage is so much better.

My Mother Margaret says, ‘What a fantastic evening,it lacked for nothing, so funny at times the audience were rolling in the aisles. The singing was brilliant and the magic amazing, a truly brilliant show.’

Both myself and my Mum would like to say one thing about Steve Laister, what a wonderful pair of legs he has, especially in a pair of bright pink tights! 

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