Newer Christmas Traditions

London Calling
December 19th

Albert Hall singalong last year

For as long as I can remember mamma and pappa would drive us into London to see the Christmas tree from Norway in Trafalgar Square and the Christmas lights in central London, back in the 1970's London really stood out for Christmas lights compared to other towns in the UK.  These days all towns now dress up for the season to encourage shoppers to visit and I love the twinkling lights.

From the time our own children were old enough to appreciate traipsing into London, John and I too took the yearly Christmas visit to the capital but we began by taking the children to the theatre in the week before Christmas.  We were lucky enough to catch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oliver, Starlight Express, and the Lion King to name but a few.  In more recent years there has been less theatre and more sing-alongs at the wonderful venue that is the Albert Hall.  This year after having visited and sung to our heart's content for the past 6 years we decided to miss it and to try our hand at the theatre again and we were not disappointed.

We sing along with gusto

The wonderful Albert Hall,
to read more about it click here

Photo taken from the internet shows
Robert Lindsay as Scrooge

For two shows only this year the talented Robert Lindsay took the lead role in the London Musical  Theatre to play Scrooge in a Christmas Carol.  It was unlike anything I have ever seen before.  It was neither a narration of Dickens' well-known story nor was it a theatre production or even a musical. 

We had seats in the stalls, it does not do it
justice here, but we could see their faces very clearly

It had a full orchestra, a choir and lead singers who acted in a pared down way with no props.  The story unfolded beautifully but still allowing much to the imagination.  Lindsay was beyond brilliant, his comic timing, his expressions and his perfect Scrooge voice made it a night to remember.  John not known for overdoing the praise could not thank me enough for organising it and said how marvellous the whole thing was.  A snippet of the review from  Musical Theatre Review   says:

In the mix are waltzes, syncopated numbers, patter songs, wistful lyricism and more. And Michael Starobin’s  imaginative orchestrations make imaginative use of instrumentation to bring out the many moods the piece requires.

It goes without saying, given the cast list, that everyone at the front of the stage does an excellent job.

Robert Lindsay as Scrooge is nimbly charismatic – both funny and moving – and the fact that he may not be the industry’s finest singer matters not a jot in this context.

These old theatres have so much detail

There is, however wonderful, singing from Glenn Carter (has he ever done the Commendatore in Don Giovanni?) as the imposing Jacob Marley, from Sophie-Louise Dann as hilarious Brummie Mrs Fezziwig and from Gemma Sutton as the crystalline-voiced Ghost of Christmas Present. And Tobias Ungleson is a bit of a show stealer as Tiny Tim.

The whole performance (directed by Shaun Kerrison) is, in a sense, a joyous celebration not just of Christmas and a time-honoured iconic story, but also of musical theatre itself.

We left the London Lyceum, usually home to the Lion King on a real Christmas high.  Bring on the rest of the week and Christmas, we are READY...

Decorations by Seven dials, Covent Garden

Mistletoe and baubles in the market at Covent Garden

Oxford Street

♥  We are on Christmas countdown, have you much to do?