Driving through endless country lanes in the middle of Norfolk, you might expect our destination to be, at best, a poultry farm - not what can lay every claim to being the largest Christmas show in Europe. The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is the best kept secret in variety, but with regulars having bought their tickets a year in advance, it scarcely needs to advertise.
The auditorium is a grotto in itself. The 1,500 seats are surrounded by 100-year-old carousels, fairground organs and steam engines, the whole lot decked with enough fairy lights to give an eco-worrier a heart attack.
The stage is as long as a railway platform and across it charges an express train of a show, as packed with cast as a rush hour commuter service. An orchestra, a brass band, highland pipers, a massed choir… when we reach ‘76 Trombones’, there are twice that many people on stage and promenading through the audience.
Phil Kelsall provides a star turn on a vintage Wurlitzer, projection screens giving close ups of his incredible dexterity. An 18-strong chorus line provide plenty of glamour in costumes ranging from Charlie Chaplin to the Pink Panther. A magical show in a magical setting.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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