(seen at the performance on 3rd December 2023)
What does it take to get 2000 people into the festive spirit so early in the month? To have them clapping and singing along and end up dancing in their seats? This fun blend of Irish music and dance with Christmas party tunes stirred in appears to be the magic formula.
On a stage with not one but three Christmas trees, a raised platform at the back and a giant projection screen, a quartet of musician / singers and 10 elegant Irish dancers deliver non-stop colourful entertainment for over two hours.
When Erin and Michelle from “Derry Girls” are the first people you see in the opening film segment, you know you are in for a good time. A quick trip around the Emerald Isle (and a reminder “Visit Ireland” are supporting this venture), before Irish pipe music heralds the arrival of our lead entertainers and dancers carrying candles, to share “Christmas In Ireland” with us all.
Straight into “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” with our blond Irish Lead Guitarist (no names, no programmes – they had a very few which sold out instantly, apparently), in a fast bright version with violin and dancers bearing gifts accompaniment. Bridging the huge orchestra pit to reach the vast auditorium proved hard work, but this was a good first step.
Actual steps, with reflectors representing car headlights appeared, as the crew climbed aboard for “Driving Home For Christmas” from our dark-haired singer and other guitarist. The dancers produced red umbrella “wheels” to underline the movement, a family snowball fight and busy shopping mall projection helping the homeward bound yearnings.
Terrific “Galway Girl” with appropriate location video followed, lead guitarist in strong voice, before the dancers had the audience clapping a segment as sleek as their black dresses and slick light show.
Change of pace again as lead lady soloist produced “Oh Holy Night” in a swirl of fairy lights and dry ice. She can hold a note as well as the audience spellbound.
Speeding again with a clap-along “But for the Too Rah” as dancers picked a singer to circle, backed up by their friends on the raised platform behind. Moving into another crowd pleaser with “Merry Christmas, Everyone” the girls sporting great Christmas jumpers.
Back to Ireland for the entire house to sing “Molly Malone” (amazing how everyone knew the words) followed by “No Nay Never” which left the audience in the palms of the performers’ hands for the rest of the evening.
“The Irish Rover” followed from our two male guitarists, before our blond one decided to test our abilities to keep time with a clapping routine which brought on two leather-trouser and crop-top clad dancers for a drum rhythm interlude.
A male trio version of “The Little Drummer Boy” was the natural segue, the ladies appearing in white robes to provide backing harmonies and dance moves in a nicely judged arrangement of music and visuals.
“This Is My Homeland” allowed a violin solo before the 3 lady vocalists had a chance to express their feelings and fill the stage with more white-robed backing vocals.
An outstanding “I Believe in Father Christmas” featuring a balletic fairy standing on a Christmas gift box proved a highlight as she went en-pointe to a solo violin accompaniment.
Moving on to three street dancers in silver tops and green trousers, ghetto-blaster blaring, three rather more sophisticated ladies in full dresses took us back to 1963 for The Ronettes hit “Sleigh Ride,” complete with backing dance moves from the era and more Irish violin for effect.
To close the first half, “This Is My Home, Ireland” they sang, forming a “Les Misérables” style group centre stage.
Second half, and an advertisement for “Seven Drunken Nights” (a show from the same team who produced this, and now high on the monkey list to see) and one for Guinness (what else?) before dancers in red and singers in gold produced Garth Brook’s “Ireland” where fences are made of stone, with haunting flute line.
Back to the season with Elton John’s 1973 “Step Into Christmas” a bouncy Broadway dance routine from the ensemble before the show telescoped to a solo male up-tempo “Love Is All Around” with a little seasonal lyric adaptation and violin scoring.
A gorgeous song unfamiliar to the monkey, Cara Dillon’s “Standing By My Christmas Tree” emerged from a little “Silent Night” to form a tableau of carol-singers as the soloist decorated her white tree.
Perhaps a nod to a tin of “Quality Street” as fiddle and flute gave the 10 dancers a chance to show off in sweet-wrapper-coloured tops and leather trousers before the hilarious “Seven Drunken Nights” was delivered and received with equal gusto by all.
Easily the best presented number of the night “Last Christmas” followed with a wham (sorry, couldn’t resist – editor). Letting a lady take lead vocal, much fun was had spotting every reference to the unforgettable 1984 video. The seductive brunette in her red coat, the snowball fight (haplessly referreed by our blonde guitarist) all present, correct, and entertaining.
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” followed, with a guitar solo, videos of world cities from Moscow to New York and red robes for all.
More red as “Belle of Belfast City” celebrated the dancers once again and “Whiskey in a Jar” by “The Dubliners” reminded us of the season in Ireland.
Time for the big moment, even more poignant for the passing during this week of composer Shane MacGowan – whose picture was projected behind the performers and about whom many kind words were said before, and after, the unique “Fairytale Of New York.”
As staged here, the ladies in Santa red, white fur trimmed short outfits, the men in black, with all (including the audience) taking a few lines yet the characters holding true, if a chance to pay tribute to MacGowan could be taken, this was it.
On to the finale with a burst of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” audience on their feet to dance the show out on a medley: “So Here It Is Merry Christmas,” “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (and that one dancer can drop into the splits without doing herself an injury – just saying!), “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day,” and finally a burst of “White Christmas” to leave us with a day made merry and bright indeed.
The curtain falling on a quick “The Irish Rover” and burst of legs to “Lord Of The Dance” to remind us it was an Emerald of an night out. Simply happy, relaxed, well-chosen songs performed with warmth as well as wide-ranging talent.
If you are seeking a way to put you in the Christmas mood, watch out for this show coming to a theatre near you.
4 stars (shining brightly)