White Christmas is one of the many stage musicals written over a long lifetime by the brilliant, talented and much lauded Irving Berlin.
Written in 1954, the musical starts in wartime when Bob, a sergeant (George Blagden), and Phil (Stuart Neal), a private, under the command of respected General Waverly (a strong performance by Ewen Cumming), decide to make a postwar career in the entertainment business.
They soon establish themselves as successful performers and producers and are in a position to employ talented newcomers.
They encounter the sisters Betty and Judy (Grace Mouat and Natasha Mould), are impressed by their double act and, after a few false starts, agree to follow them to Vermont where they will be appearing during the Christmas season. Unfortunately, there is a heatwave in Vermont and the lack of snow has driven away the expected audience.
This is of particular concern to the now retired General Waverly who has bought the Columbia Inn after retirement as a performance venue and is likely to be bankrupted.
The scenario provides opportunities for a wide range of song and dance items, duets, threesomes and full-blown company numbers along with song and dance relating to the ups and downs of the love relationships between fun-loving Phil and extrovert Judy and Bob and Betty, whose path to true love is not so smooth.
There is a certain constraint in the first half of the show while the complexities of the plot are resolved, but we still see vigorous dance numbers in rehearsal, a magnificent 'audition' by Martha (Sandra Marvin), previously on the hotel desk but now looking for stardom.
The second half of the evening resolves romantic and financial concerns and shows the rehearsed items of the first half in the splendour of full costume. An unusual item, "The Old Man", casts the memory back to days of war and shows the troops loyal to General Waverly in full military uniform recalling his success as a leader.
The musical is bursting with familiar songs. Along with "White Christmas", there is "Love and the Weather", "Sisters", "Snow", "Count Your Blessings", "Blue Skies" and many more favourites.
Choreography by Alistair David is immaculate and perfectly synchronised by the large ensemble group of singers and dancers. Costumes and extras are impressive throughout, with more than one top hat and tails routine and a well controlled feather dance.
A house full of Irving Berlin enthusiasts of various ages welcomed the performance with frequent applause and a final standing ovation. This a perfect Christmas show with something for everyone.