THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

Brick Lane Music Hall

★★★★

“Musical director Scott Hayes’ arrangements are powerful, lush and choral, and are ready to waltz straight into the Albert Hall”

Just as Charing Cross Hospital bears no geographical resemblance to Charing Cross itself, Brick Lane Music Hall is considerably more than a stone’s throw away from Brick Lane. Somewhere near London City Airport lies St Mark’s Church, tucked between a flyover and something else urban and concrete; its Victorian gothic beauty shining out like a guiding star on Christmas Eve. Walking through its hallowed doors is like stepping into Christmas. And stepping back in time.

Brick Lane Music Hall’s Christmas production, hosted by the insanely charismatic (or charismatically insane) Vincent Hayes, has become a long-standing highlight of London’s festive calendar. And this year’s show is no exception, combining traditional entertainment with rich slices of fresh innuendo, magical music and dollops of cheesy fun. Hayes is a master of the craft, his skill sharpened by a long-standing passion for music hall dating back to opening his original venue (in Brick Lane) back in 1992 with the support of stars including Danny La Rue and Barbara Windsor. Thirty-three years later he’s still going strong, and a few hours spent in his – and his friends – glittering company shows you why. Hayes comes armed with a sharp mind, coupled with a warm and quick-witted banter that immediately puts his audience at ease. Scripted jokes jostle for place among the ad libs as he chats to us like old mates.

We are encouraged to sing along, although there are times when we prefer to sit back and relish the variety of talent and virtuosity assembled on the stage. Guest singer Andrew Robley croons a jolly ‘Holly Dolly Christmas’ before launching into a moving version of the David Essex festive favourite, ‘A Winter’s Tale’. The show morphs into a music hall, carol service hybrid as he is joined by Ronnie Scott regular William Byrne, along with Lucy Reed, Samantha McNeil, Jake Lawrence and Charlotte Fage; members of the Brick Lane Music Hall Company. Many a time we wonder how a sextet can produce a nine-part harmony. Musical director Scott Hayes’ arrangements are powerful, lush and choral, and are ready to waltz straight into the Albert Hall.

Vincent Hayes knows when to puncture the atmosphere with humour, notably with a falsetto version of ‘The Snowman’, as though his lungs are filled with a few canisters of helium. Later he shows us – along with partner in crime Robley – what really lies under a choirmaster’s cassock during a hilarious routine. The humour is perfectly pitched, and blends in with his heartfelt soliloquies and the rousing musical highlights. By Royal appointment, Victoria Yellop commands the stage with her violin, recreating Christmas at Balmoral with Scottish jigs and reels, before delivering a moving ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, and then joining in with the other performers.

An extended interval allows us to mingle and enjoy the seasonal refreshment. This show was a matinee, and the afternoon tea is highly recommended – a three-tiered platter of sandwiches, scones and mince pies with free-flowing cups of ‘proper’ tea; strong and traditional. You can indulge as much as you want: the energy that bounces off the stage in the second act will burn off the calories as fast as the glorious harmonies will wash them down. A selection-box, mash-up of Christmas hits precedes a ‘Country Christmas’ routine which, in turn, precedes a music-from-the-movies moment. And so it goes; medley after medley, right up to the joyous finale of ‘White Christmas’; the whole company in white and gold, Yellop’s violin cutting through the lush chorale arrangement, and Hayes dressed as our fairy godmother. We don’t need his wand (ooer missus) to be touched by the magic of Christmas. It’s here, in Brick Lane Music Hall, served up on a platter. It’s all in title of the show: “The Magic of Christmas”. The season has truly begun.

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

★★★★

Brick Lane Music Hall

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

Brick Lane Music Hall

★★★★

“Musical director Scott Hayes’ arrangements are powerful, lush and choral, and are ready to waltz straight into the Albert Hall”