Performance

VenueFairfield Halls
Other spaces: Phoenix Concert Hall, Ashcroft Playhouse, The Recreational
TownOuter London
CountyGreater London
From1st November 2014
To1st November 2014
What is currently on at Fairfield Halls (V295)

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th StreetT618235550
In 1950s New York, Doris Walker juggles her job as a senior executive at Macy's department store with raising her daughter, Susan, by herself. Whilst Susan dreams of having a father and a brother, her determined mother is far more concerned with organizing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade - one of the biggest events in the Big Apple's annual calendar - and renewing Macy's deadly rivalry with the city's "other" department store, Gimbel's, in the run up to Christmas. When her regular Santa Claus turns up incapacitated moments before the parade begins, Doris is rescued by the sudden appearance of a certain Kris Kringle, a genial old-timer who bears a striking resemblance to the North Pole's most famous inhabitant. Kringle's success as a stand-in Santa at the head of the parade leads Doris to offer him the same job in Macy's Christmas grotto. But no sooner is he installed than he starts to behave - well, strangely. And then he claims that he is, in fact, the real Santa Claus . . . Now spreading a wave of love throughout New York - and creating harmony between feuding department stores - is one thing. But can Kris Kringle also convince a psychiatrist, a courtroom, and the entire state of New York, that Santa Claus is not a myth? And, in passing, make Susan's dreams come true?
Book by Meredith Willson
Music Meredith Willson
Lyrics Meredith Willson


Archive :: production:T618235550, musical:S2145283902, venue:V295

Production details

Reviews

Overall: 5.00
Harry Pope (10Dec15): This review is on my facebook page Harry Pope and has been sent to the Eastbourne Herald. It will also be soon on www.b-c-ing-u.com. Please feel free to use any or all in future publicity. I really enjoyed the show. harrythewriter@btinternet.com Miracle in Eastbourne The stage musical of the famous movie Miracle on 34th Street is on at The Royal Hippodrome Theatre until Saturday – only five performances, so prepare to be enchanted at this Christmas story. Is there a real Father Christmas? Can his existence be denied? It might take two hours and a lot of singing and dancing to find out the answer, but the time goes so fast because you know you believe. Hannah Thompson is the juvenile lead, Claire Hawkins her mother, and Carl Lindquist the male love interest. Daughter Susan wants a dad, and Kris Kringle, who is hired by Macy’s New York department store to be Santa Claus, played by Danny Lane, makes her wishes come true. The scenery changes occur subtly, changing from outside Macy’s store with the parade passing by, to a living room. The second half courtroom was especially prominent, used to good effect. The movie was originally made in 1947, and in 1963 it was turned into a stage musical by Meredith Willson, who also wrote the Music Man. Some of the tunes reminded me of this, I had no idea that ‘It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ was a number, and there were two exceptionally strong second half numbers in ‘She Hadda Go Back’ and ‘My State, My Kansas’. This is a Paul Taylor-Mills production, and is touring round the UK. It is of a very high standard, with polished performances, strongly rehearsed, quality singing, excellent choreography, I have seen many musicals over the years and this rates very highly. There is a 40ft articulated lorry full of scenery and props to accompany the production, from costumes to courtroom. Be prepared for lots of almost real fake snow at the end, wonder what the theatre cleaner makes of it! 5

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Company

Producer Paul Taylor-Mills Ltd
Director Max Reynolds
Choreographer Russell Smith
Choreographer Philip Joel
Musical Director Lee Freeman
Music Mark Crossland (musical supervision)
Design David Shields
Performer Danny Lane (Kris Kringle)
Performer Hannah Thompson (Susan Walker)
Performer Claire Hawkins (Doris Walker)
Performer Carl Lindquist (Fred Gaily)
Performer Michael Adams (R.H. Macy)
Performer Brandan Matthew (Marvin Shellhammer)
Performer Joanna Gregory
Performer Emily Barnett-Salter
Performer Charlotte Jay
Performer Jessica Lucy
Performer Kate Hulme
Performer Jack Warren
Performer Frank Derrington
Performer Dann Kharsa
Performer Toby Joyce
Performer David Muscat
CORONAVIRUS: All UK venues closed on 16th March 2020, restrictions were lifted on 19th July 2021. Please note that iUKTDb archive listings between March 2020 and July 2021 may not be accurate as we did not receive details of all rescheduled and cancelled shows.

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