White Christmas R&J Musicals Swindon Arts Centre

White Christmas, at the Arts Centre, in Old Town, s a fabulous feel-good show co-directed by Sandra Gilbert and Russell Langdown. This captivating Christmas cracker is a sparkling prelude to the festive season.

Popular duo Ray Dance and Judith Sharp head a talented cast in Irving Berlin’s musical, based on the Paramount Pictures film.

The opening scene – the finale of a concert for American troops in Europe in 1944 – sets the tone for a continuing musical partnership between Bob Wallace and Phil Davies, played by Ray Dance and Tony Asprey. Chris Coleman is the stern but appreciative General Henry Waverly. In the post-war years, as a civilian, the general buys an inn in Vermont’s winter playground, where keen skiers flock to the slopes at Christmas.

Judith Sharp and Sarah Greenwood are the sister act that Bob and Phil are keen to attract for their show in Florida. Superb costumes, sets and props complement excellent performances. Sue Hills is the concerned concierge Martha Watson; Ruth Flame is the General’s exuberant granddaughter. Martin Whitely is Ralph Sheldrake, of the Ed Sullivan show.

Stuart Dark gives a splendidly frenetic performance of a director trying to put together a show in an unpromising location.

Paul Dawkins is the monosyllabic stagehand Ezekiel Foster. Becci Benson and Carrie Barras give bubbly performances as Rita and Rhoda; Mike Chivers has a cameo role. The chorus, dancers and accomplished four-piece band are all first clas – Stella Taylor