Review: A MUSICAL THEATRE CHRISTMAS 2023 - The Actors’ Church

For another year running, Mark Robert Petty returned to The Actors’ Church to bring his festive fundraising concert raising money for Acting for Others, an umbrella charity supporting anyone working in the arts industry when they fall on hard times. The concert was packed full of musical theatre talent – both stars of the present and stars of the future. With a wonderful mix of songs, from the classics to pop songs to songs from Christmassy musicals, this annual concert is always the perfect way to kick off the festivities.

Opening the show this year was Laine Theatre Arts with a traditional rendition of ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, one of the best Christmas carols. Where the students of Laine Theatre Arts lack in diversity, they most certainly make up for in talent. The sound they made through all their songs throughout the evening was something to behold.

Our host for the evening was comedian Sooz Kempner. Her rendition of ‘The Christmas Song’ was a great introduction, proving we were in very safe hands for the evening. Throughout the night, she compered the proceedings expertly. She was hilarious, utilised her fabulous impression skills (Christina Aguilera singing ‘Silent Night’ was a highlight!) and belted up a storm on numerous occasions – why she isn’t constantly employed in musicals, we will never know!

Jane Milligan, daughter of the hugely popular poet Spike Milligan, took to the stage to perform an original song she had written, based on some unused work of Spike Milligan that she had found. ‘The Donkey Song’ was just lovely, her performance of it was beautiful, and the song could easily become a favourite in primary schools up and down the country.

Alex Lodge, recently seen in The Osmonds and currently appearing in The Time Traveller’s Wife, gave a great performance of an original song from Anderson and Petty. ‘Stowin’ Away (In Santa’s Sleigh)’ definitely needs a recording released and could easily become a modern Christmas favourite.

Young performer Joe Barker then took to the stage to perform Pasek and Paul’s ‘It All Comes Down to Christmas’, a song from the rarely staged A Christmas Story. Barker blew the roof off with this number, and received one of the biggest applauses of the night. Joe Barker is a star on the rise and is definitely one we should all keep our eyes on.

Jen Burleigh-Bentz, Georgia Lennon, Maggie Lynne and Olivia McBeth united to give a fun performance, belting to the rafters, of ‘Rockin’ Around The Pole’ from Mean Girls. Eddie Elliott then gave a great performance of Christmas favourite ‘Mary, Did You Know?’. Kim Ismay, direct from Elf at the Dominion Theatre, had learnt to play the ukelele since last year’s concert just to perform ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ – a fantastically fun performance.

Olivia McBeth returned giving a sublime rendition of ‘River’ by Joni Mitchell. Her vocal control was incredible, creating a haunting but lovely performance.

Laine Theatre Arts then brought some tradition back with a lovely performance of ‘Candlelight Carol’. This was followed by two more choirs. First up was The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Me’ and ‘Boogie Woogie Santa Claus’. Their vocals are wonderful, and they were all clearly having marvellous fun on stage. Finally, closing out the first act was Jen Burleigh-Bentz with the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts giving a moving and powerful of another Anderson and Petty original, ‘Wish’.

After the interval, Sooz Kemper gave a fabulous performance of ‘Cheer For The Elves’, with much hilarity coming from the antics of The Rev. Simon Grigg, giving us his best elf to the audience. The Elf theme remained with Laine Theatre Arts performing a medley of songs from Elf the Musical reminding us just how fabulous Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar’s score is. ‘A Christmas Song’ and ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingly’ should definitely be on everyone’s festive playlists!

Ben Morris served delicious vocals with ‘Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)’, followed by a beautiful rendition of ‘Silent Night’ featuring Lucy May Barker, Maggie Lynne and Jen Burleigh-Bentz. Georgia Lennon, and seen in The Osmonds, then proceeded to blow the roof off with ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’. Lennon and Morris both demonstrated how skilled they are in acting through song.

Nathaniel Morrison and the West End Gospel Choir then put the Christ back into a Christmas, with passionate, joyful and fun performance of ‘Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child’. They had everyone on their feet dancing, and it was great fun, adding something different into the mix of the concert.

Chris Weeks, who has recently been touring in the title role in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, showed just why he was so wonderful in that role with a gorgeous rendition of Jamie Cullum’s ‘Show Me The Magic’. Kieran Brown continued the themes of fabulous vocals with a stunning performance of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’.

To pay tribute to Shane MacGowan who we sadly lost this week, Ben Morris and Jessica Cervi gave a fantastic rendition of ‘Fairytale of New York’. Wonderful vocals, with a lovely on stage chemistry – The Pogues jukebox musical anyone?

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts really put this lesser known institute on the map with a beautiful rendition of ‘White Christmas’, followed by Chris Weeks and Lucy May Barker giving the dreamiest of vocals on ‘Let It Snow’. Luke Redmore closed the show, alongside Laine Theatre Arts, with ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ but not before the most exciting moment of the night.

Idriss Kargbo, due to personal circumstances, was called away at the last minute and was unable to perform ‘Santa Tell Me’ as planned. When Sooz Kempner was asked before the show and didn’t know the song, the team asked around other performers. Up stepped Keira Roberts from the West End Gospel Choir. She understood the assignment and she more than delivered in a true star is born moment. Her performance of the song was absolutely wonderful, getting a much deserved mid-show standing ovation – a moment that will go down in history for both the audience and Roberts we’re sure.

A Musical Theatre Christmas is a joyous start to the festive season every year, with a talented cast (who all looked fabulous, with sparkles galore!), brilliant songs and gallons of festive cheer. We already can’t wait for next year!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jacob Bush