Review: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Town and Gown Cambridge

Live radio plays are no mean feat but with Karl Steele at the helm, along with the brilliantly talented Town and Gown company, they make it look like a piece of (festive) cake. Based on the classic 1946 film, It’s a Wonderful Life is the Cambridge venue’s Christmas offering this year, following its successful - albeit cut short by Covid - run of Miracle on 34th Street in 2021.

The story centres on George Bailey, a family man who gives up his own dreams in order to help others. When his Uncle Billy, with whom he works at the family business, misplaces a significant amount of the company’s money and with the bank examiner in town, George knows he could face prison. Everything gets too much for him on Christmas Eve and he contemplates suicide. Enter guardian angel second class, Clarence Odbody, to talk him down from the ledge (literally and metaphorically), to make George realise what a “wonderful life” he has, and in order to earn his wings.

The monochrome radio station set up gives the impression of a black and white old-school movie, with its vintage aesthetic adding to the charm of the piece. Five microphones are equally spaced in a semi circle in front of the audience seated on three sides of the playing space, and upstage is a piano and visible prop tables for the actors, whom create the foley element of the play as would be done for radio in such an era. Sound effects are created live in front of our eyes from doors opening and closing, to glasses clinking in the pub, to walking through the snow. They are so effective within the extraordinary storytelling that if you closed your eyes, we know you would get the same experience. The five strong cast work together as one to create this world, and passing glances and reassuring looks between them shows that this is a close knit and incredibly in-sync group of performers.

Made famous by James Stewart in the film, George Bailey is played here by Jaymes Sygrove. He is an extreme talent and his slightly bumbling yet natural speech makes him incredibly endearing and he radiates warmth throughout. He also absolutely knows how to tap into both his and the audience’s emotions through the most subtle of character choices.

Sygrove is perfectly grounded by Sam Carlyle as George’s sweet natured wife Mary; the animated Anton Tweedale as Potter, Joseph and others; Kieran Dee as the lovable Clarence, Uncle Billy, Harry and others; and Laura Mead as Violet Hick, Rose and others. They all flit between multiple characters seamlessly, moving from microphone to microphone around the space, and being a constant support to one another. They may have a script in hand (as would be expected in a radio play) but their performances are so much bigger and brighter than the airwaves.

It’s a Wonderful Life is a warm comforting hug on a cold Winter’s day. And with a complimentary Cambridge gin and tonic on arrival, what more could you possible want this Christmas?

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Ell

It’s a Wonderful Life plays at the Town and Gown in Cambridge until 24 December, with tickets available here.