Review: Christmas extravaganza will fight the winter blues

If you are feeling a bit bah humbug and have the winter blues, get yourself down to Babbacombe Theatre and see their variety extravaganza Christmas Stars.

With music, dance, comedy, and magic performed by a more than-able cast, it’s a real festive treat to lift your spirits.
The show is laced together courtesy of the fun and upbeat compere David Arnold.

The Welsh comedian has a talent for natural humour and charmed the audience from the off.

His segments where he poked fun at himself showing pictures of him as a child were a nice touch, and the audience lapped up a sketch where he played homage to legendary comedian Tommy Cooper.

Babbacombe Theatre regular Peter Baffles was on form with his illusions. With his tongue-in-cheek comedy and banter with the crowd, he is a definite showman.

His tricks were great to watch, and we couldn’t wait to see what magic he would do each time it was his turn to take centre stage.

A card trick involving a pair of pants was super clever, and the audience was left speechless when he did a trick picking the lottery numbers.

The variety show wouldn’t be complete without accomplished vocalists.

Each are talented, but when they come together, they are a force; their harmonies are another level, and there’s a great rapport between the fab four.

Claire Waring was simply sensational, living every moment on stage like it was her last. Her passion for performing is clear to see, and she is a firecracker!

Her rendition of Cher’s I Can Turn Back Time was a show stealer. Complete with a sparkly fringed leotard and a bevy of dancers, she looked like a pop star and sounded like a pop star!

Above: Front left Joe stone, front right Joe Giordano Danze Starz , Left to right, Katie Feasey, Tansy Hulstone, Maia Dunstone, Darbi Faint, Paris Kingdom & Tiani Dunstone

Other leading vocalist Lucy J. Samuel’s was also on form and showed off her range, singing everything from Taylor Swift’s Love Story to Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. She’s a real talent and a dynamo.

The two male vocalists Joe Giordano and Joe Stone both complimented one another, and their vocals were unquestionable.
Joe Stone’s Chicago number as Billy Flynn was memorable; flanked by the dance troupe with huge, feathered fans, he looked like a star.

I’ve seen Joe Giordano a few times in shows, and his confidence and stage presence have grown a lot over the years, and he’s a real credit to the show.

Danze Starz—the dancers—work hard; they are on stage more than most of the cast, and thanks to expert choreography by Lucy O'Neill, they dazzle throughout.

They also get their moment to shine, performing a modern ballet number to open the second half.

The theatre has invested in its costumes, and they perfectly complemented the songs and segments, from fur-trimmed attire for the festive offerings to glamourous show-stopping dresses for duets.

There were some great moments, but favourites were the cast’s rendition of the festive classic Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Elton John as well as the nod to the new Wicked movie, which makes the show bang up to date.

If you haven’t got friends or family a Christmas present yet, buy them a ticket to see Christmas Stars.
It’s a real corker of a Christmas show!

Christmas Stars runs until January 1 on various dates; visit the website https://www.babbacombe-theatre.com/ for more information.