Manchester Theatre News & Reviews
REVIEW - Miracle on 34th Street The Musical is a stunning family Christmas show, full of magical wonder and belief
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On Wednesday, we were invited to HOME in Manchester to see Miracle on 34th Street. Read what our reviewer Karen Ryder had to say about this wonderful festive musical...
Miracle on 34th Street The Musical is a production I have had on my Christmas list ever since it was announced as part of HOME’s winter season. The heartwarming film from 1947 received an equally glowing remake in 1994, and I have always thought the stage would also make a welcome home for this Christmas favourite, and it really does. With a stunning book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Wilson, the heart of this family favourite has been captured and enhanced with a mixture of song styles, from a glorious Christmassy overture, to showstopping ensemble numbers. There are even a couple of songs in there you might already know! A beautiful version of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” is blended with a new counter melody and it is pure delight.
Miracle on 34th Street The Musical introduces us to Susan, a young girl who has been taught by her stoic mother not to believe in anything you can’t see, hear, taste or touch. This makes imagination an unknown quantity, especially at Christmas, so when she meets the owner of a toy shop her mother is trying to close down, she is introduced to a whole new world of possibilities. As he starts to tell her a story, she is encouraged to take the lead, and we soon fall into Christmas in New York, starting with the Macy’s Thanks Giving Day parade. Susie meets a young lawyer Fred and together, with a mother too busy working in Macy’s department store to indulge in Christmas with her daughter, they visit the newly appointed Santa Claus in the store. Susie starts to believe in him as she discovers a world of imagination, faith, and possibility, so when his identity is questioned and he finds himself in court trying to defend who he truly is, it takes the faith, love and support of not just Susie, but her mum Doris too. Can Kris Kringle, with the help of Susie, make the most stoney hearted believe in him again? Can they restore Christmas in the hearts of everyone? This story is a warm hug of joy that will wrap you up and keep you warm till New Years!
Tonight's Susan was played by Karis (currently showing in cinemas world wide as the young Elphaba in Wicked) and she not only lit up the stage, but the whole of Manchester too! From the second Karis ran on stage, beat box dancing with the crowds, to her final moments holding hands with Santa Claus, she was enigmatic, energised and electric! For such a young performer, I have to say she is one of the most believable I have seen on stage! Her emotional delivery is crystal clear in every aspect of her body, and whatever that puzzling ‘IT’ factor is, Karis has it! It was a privilege to watch someone you just know is about to take the world by storm. I wish her the very best as her career takes flight.|
Adam Vaughan as Kris Kringle had a warm, trust worthy presence about him, perfectly epitomising Santa Claus, and with a voice that could melt chocolate and even marshmallows too, this was brilliant casting. It’s quite the task to play Santa at Christmas with an audience full of young (and older) believers and he did so perfectly, with a gentle spirit, and a trusting soul. He had an unspoken authority that you simply felt, an aura if you will, but whatever it was, it was brilliant! Jessica Joslin as Doris was wonderful at bringing us a character that has built so many barriers of protection, she initially appears stand offish and cold. Yet as those barriers are slowly and carefully removed, we see the vulnerable child stuck in the middle, and Joslin portrayed this with a wonderful delicacy. With some gorgeous solos to highlight her rich emotive singing too, it was a heartwarming performance.
Matthew Hawksley as Fred brought us a complex character too, suave and cheeky with a hint of arrogance in his relationship with Doris, yet tender, caring and full of fun and encouragement with Susie. His agility of movement was astounding as he danced his way through many a number, including a chair walk that left the audience quite literally gasping in astonishment. I particularly loved Hawksley’s scenes with Karis for his admiration for her shone through. Stephanie Hockley as Shellhammer was a brilliant comedic role in the show, absolutely full to the brim with energy and the ability to make everyone laugh. Whether she was singing about plastic crocodiles or talking to herself, it was always a moment of joy and a very safe and capable pair of hands on stage. Christopher Jordan as Mr. Macy, Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos as Judge Harper, and Ida Regan as Sawyer complete the main cast, and all three multi role with exceptional expertise. Each is given their moment to shine, particularly in the court scene, where their solo moments range from a brilliantly zany yet catchy song, to a blues style breakout!
Directed by Sara Joyce, this cast has a feeling of freedom that unites them, and you feel a real team spirit. The collaboration with the set designer Ciaran Bagnall was absolutely enthralling! Firstly, a curved arch filled with toys and treats subtly dominated the set, and I couldn’t get enough of soaking it all in, looking at all the different choices, and memories of toys from past decades too! It was the epitome of Christmas, and it really drew out my own childlike wonder. I was a kid in a toy store once more! Secondly, the choice of set and props that told the story was genius. The clever detail throughout reminded us that this was a story told by a child, so the reference points beautifully matched. The Judge’s pen was pink and flouncy, and the gavel and hammer were toy ones! In Fred's apartment, his phone and clock were toy ones, the chairs plastic and full of colour! It was really clever, and when I picked up on this design choice, I was constantly surprised at just how much thought had gone into it. It made the whole concept cohesive and added to the magical sense of childlike wonder.
Miracle on 34th Street The Musical is a stunning family Christmas show, full of magical wonder and belief. It will fill you with Christmas spirit and leave you feeling all cozy and full of love, not an easy ask right now as things are so topsy turvy in the world. So, with its location in HOME on First Street, I think it would be fair to rename it Manchester’s Home Miracle on First Street!
WE SCORE MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET THE MUSICAL...
Miracle on 34th Street The Musical is on at HOME in Manchester until Tuesday 31st December 2024
