Fabulous retelling of festive favourite

White Christmas, The Lowry
DREAMING of a special Christmas? This Irving Berlin musical is just the ticket, an all-singing, all-dancing festive spectacular that bursts on to the stage with a big cast that doesn’t put a foot wrong.

It’s a magnificent show peppered with timeless hits - including the title song, made famous by Bing Crosby and a huge Christmas favourite.

The show’s well-known plot - thanks to the famous movie - of girls meeting boys, and their efforts to boost the fortunes of the ageing Gen Henry Waverly with a concert, are comfortingly sentimental.

Respected by musicians Bob Wallace (Steven Houghton) and Phil Davies (Paul Robinson), from their days under his command, he turns up again in their lives as the owner of the struggling hotel in which they plan to spend Christmas.

Bill-toppers Wallace and Davis draft in the Haynes sisters, Betty - superbly played by Claire Sweeney - and Judy, (Louise Bowden) along with a host of singers and dancers to create a special Christmas show in days, while filling the empty hotel rooms with ex-army pals from the general’s regiment for a touching climax.

There isn’t a weak link anywhere in the cast: Ken Kercheval takes a break from starring as Cliff Barnes in the new series of “Dallas” to play the general, while Claire Sweeney is brilliant alongside Louise Bowden, whose dance background was put to good use in some fabulously-choreographed dance routines.

Bolton–born Paul Robinson is tremendous as Phil Davis, giving Louise a run for her money in the dance and tap stakes; and Wendi Peters, best known as Cilla in Coronation Street, brought her own brand of comedy, and a surprisingly strong singing voice, to her role as the general’s concierge.

Though a two-hours and twenty-minute show, the evening passes in a flash.

The musical is back in Salford by public demand following a terrific first run in 2009 - and it looks like having the same sort of Christmas spectacular this year too