“if your family has an annual ritual of watching Love Actually every Christmas (along with Muppet’s Christmas Carol in our case) then this show will bring out all the warm fuzzies you could wish for.“
Kate Stratford
4 stars
The Little Red Company has bundled up all the feels from the film Love Actually and created a cabaret styled concert titled, appropriately – Christmas Actually. It is, actually, the sound track from the show and if your family has an annual ritual of watching Love Actually every Christmas (along with Muppet’s Christmas Carol in our case) then this show will bring out all the warm fuzzies you could wish for.
Libby O’Donovan leads the show with her award-winning vocals, a comic patter and back-up singers Stefanie Caccamo, Joshua Robson and Mat Verevis. Each of these are given their moment in the spotlight too, and all deliver. Supporting them is an equally stunning band of musicians with Scott French’s virtuosity on guitar rather special. We found ourselves playing the “identify the scene” game, whispering to each other where, in the film, the more subtle themes were placed. Me, as ever, totally reduced to tears during the delivery of Both Sides Now. (I want to throw in that never has heartbreak been so beautifully delivered as Emma Thompson does in that scene.)
Of course, there are many lighter moments – just as there are in the film. The Christmas lobster makes an appearance as does Hugh Grant’s dance around No 10 Downing St to Jump! And the cardboard placards. Behind the scenes, lighting expertly designed and the audio faultlessly operated.
If I have a caveat, it is that I would have preferred it to see this in a slightly more intimate cabaret venue. A glass or two of bubbly would be felicitous for such a show.
It is a wee bit naughty, often funny and always joyous. And, I imagine, a great girls’ night out in particular.
Kate Stratford, Theatre Now
