REVIEW: A Christmas celebration at Babbacombe Theatre

The pumpkins may only just have been removed from doorsteps and the sparklers dampened after Bonfire Night, but the festive spirit is already in full swing at Babbacombe Theatre.

The venue's latest production, A Christmas Celebration, is a real Christmas cracker that leaves audiences smiling from beginning to end.

Vocalist Claire Waring was outstanding throughout, delivering powerful, pitch-perfect vocals and blending beautifully with her fellow performers. Her duet of On My Own from Les Misérables was a particular highlight of the evening, showcasing both emotion and vocal skill.

Over the years, Claire has become much more than a vocalist in the show, increasingly contributing to the comedy elements as well, where she shines just as brightly.

Claire shared vocal duties with Lucy J. Samuels, who also delivered her variety of numbers with conviction and impressive stage presence.

Comedy came courtesy of the ever-entertaining Phil Lowen, who makes humour look effortless.

His sketches centred on Pavarotti and the film Titanic were delightfully absurd and had the audience in stitches. Laughter echoed around the packed theatre, particularly during his impressions of music legends ranging from Mick Jagger to Freddie Mercury. He really is a class act.

It was also wonderful to see seasoned comedian and all-round entertainer Andy Oakley return to the Babbacombe stage. Despite suffering back problems and remaining largely stationary throughout his performance, he proved that great comedy is all about timing and delivery. His "Around the World" song and horse-racing commentary on the realities of marriage were comedy gold, earning some of the biggest laughs of the night.

Variety lies at the heart of the production, and magician Peter Baffles certainly delivered. Combining comedy with sleight of hand, he provided entertainment worth the ticket price alone.

Audience members were left scratching their heads as trick after trick unfolded before their eyes. His clever "guess the amount of jelly babies in the jar" routine proved particularly popular and drew audible gasps of admiration from the crowd.

The show wouldn't be complete without dance troupe Danze Fantazy, who added another dimension to the production. They also demonstrated their versatility during a beautifully choreographed ballet segment.

What Babbacombe Theatre does exceptionally well is traditional, tongue-in-cheek entertainment. It clearly knows its audience and plays to its strengths. Many theatre-goers were enjoying pre-Christmas breaks and coach holidays, and the show's humour was perfectly pitched.

Complete with sparkling costumes, impressive lighting and festive visuals, A Christmas Celebration feels like a warm hug on a winter's day. It's welcoming, uplifting and packed with talent.

With a superb cast, plenty of laughs, impressive musical performances and a generous helping of festive sparkle, this is a show well worth seeing as the countdown to Christmas begins.

Check the theatre’s website as A Christmas Celebration runs on various dates until New Year’s Day.