The Secret That Saved Christmas Review

December 13, 2024

The Secret That Saved Christmas Review

11th – 24th December 2024

From the moment the curtain opens, the magic begins. The minimal set makes way for a shimmering lighting design, shone onto stage to ceiling white calico panels, and occasional bubbles (a popular choice with the audience!). A voiceover introduces the show whilst character Holly (Jasmine Thomas, the human) is asleep on stage.

“The Secret that Saved Christmas is a heart warming festive treat”

Holly awakens, Polly (Georgia Maclennan, the parrot) enters, and we learn she is trying to escape from the nasty wizard (Jack Dorning) who has kept her captive, clipped her flying wings and now plans to steal Father Christmas’ reindeer to stop him delivering presents to all the children on Christmas Day. Can new found friends Holly and Polly reach the North Pole before the wizard, to warn Father Christmas of his plan? An adventure ensues and the pair meet a myriad of characters along the way, including the Mr Sea Lion, Jeremy the arctic fox, and Mr Snow Goose, all played by Dorning.

All three cast members do a sterling job, keeping an audience of mostly three and four year olds captivated for the whole 50 minutes. Thomas and Maclennan are naturals performing to children, as was Dorning, and his characterisation of each role was sheer animated brilliance.

The songs, with lyrics by established writers Ken Mason and David Kerby-Kendall, and music by supremely talented Nick Gates, are so fun and catchy that they already feel like classics, and are guaranteed to stay in your head for a good while. The North Pole song inparticular was an undeniable hit with the audience and had all the children singing and clapping along. The script is entertaining and funny, with some welcome in-jokes for the grown ups too.

The Secret that Saved Christmas is a heartwarming festive treat, with positive messages about love and friendship, that can’t fail to raise a smile.