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A Winter’s Tale, Unison Theatrical Choir, West Moors Memorial Hall

IF I were awarding marks for total originality then this excellently staged and beautifully costumed concert, devised, directed and choreographed by Sonia Gilson, would be right at the top of my list.

It was quite unlike anything I have previously come across, beginning with Historical Christmas – its origins told in little-known but appealing songs, memories of that famous World War I Christmas truce, a potted version of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, a comic monologue about the Christmas turkey and the humorous Miss Hooligan’s Christmas Cake with obligatory audience participation.

This was followed by Contemporary Christmas, with the decoration of the tree, silly jokes from daft dwarfs Dave, Dee and Dopey, a glimpse of panto via a couple of Ugly Sisters and a joyous finale.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, during two intervals the cast brought round cakes, mulled wine and coffee, all served with the style and elegance that was the hallmark of an evening in which we learned, in a most enjoyable and unusual way, many new facts about Yule logs, wassailing, Christmas food and the song Cinderella sings when her photos are late arriving. Oh come on, think about it. I’m certainly not telling you.

Linda Kirkman

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