Roger Gimblett’s play is a lot of fun and a good family show in time for the festive season.
Walking into the theatre to collect the tickets everyone was in good spirits- Christmas decorations were up and the bar staff were wearing reindeer antlers and serving champagne.
WHAT SANTA DOES OTHER DAYS OF THE YEAR started with Alf the Elf played by a very energetic Puck like Tristan Black doing a bit of a comic spot. His face appeared from out of the curtain and then he came out and started complaining about the guy in the bio box not lighting him properly. It was the start of a host of jokes including : ‘you behave and raise the curtains or it will be curtains for you’ and ‘the lighting man only took the job because it was light work’. (Before moving on, just a note to say that Act 2 started in a similar vein with some byplay by Alf the Elf).
Alf the Elf went on to introduce all the characters taking part in the play. There was of-course Santa Claus played by a endearing Doug Rumble. We find out what Santa does the other days of the year – prepare of-course. Get the presents ready. Reply to mail. Spend time with the family. All from his home at Number 1 North Pole. Garry Bates’ set of Santa’s living room was nicely laid out with including of-course a Christmas Tree, sofa and chairs, mailbox, a fireplace with a stocking hanging out and a stable door for the reindeer.
Genesian Theatre Company regular Melanie Robinson was well suited to the role of Santa’s wife Mrs Mary Christmas and yes there was a play on words of Mary with Merry (Christmas). Melanie and Doug sung a lovely duet ‘Every day is Christmas Day with you’ depicting the closeness of Santa’s marriage. Good to see Santa so well loved!
We were introduced to a very elegant Miss Calendar, one of Santa’s main helpers. Miss Calendar was well played by Elizabeth MacGregor. MacGregor made the most of her opportunity to shine when in Act 2 she was in good voice singing a ballad saying that she was sad and sorry but she felt that it was time for her to leave her home in the North Pole.
Chris Hamby and Rosanna Hurley played their parts well playing a colourful couple of reindeers named Juniper and Snowflake. They were at the centre of the plot. Santa decides to buy an electric sled which he puts together at home. It will mean that he won’t need any helpers to drive him around.
Juniper and Snowflake are furious because they will be out of a job. They arrange a protest and write to the local media saying that Christmas is to be cancelled this year. There’s a song which features the cast holding tv screens which went- ‘We’ve got the Christmas blues, You’ve heard the news’. Mrs Claus tells Santa about this drama but Santa Claus isn’t worried and keeps on hammering away out the back at putting his own new toy together.
In Act 2 Santa’s electric sled makes an appearance with an up-tempo song built around it, proudly detailing its attributes.There is plenty of humour as we see two of the cast pushing Mrs Mary Christmas around in his electric sled! The colourful, ‘state of the art’ sled was built by set designer Garry Bates.
To sweeten the play even more, towards the end Snowflake briefly left the stage and quickly presented some lolly bags to some lucky audience members.
The current Theatre Director of the Genesian Theatre Company, Roger Gimblett wrote this play when he was just 17 years old, putting together the book and lyrics with Sally Bodkin-Allen adding the music. For this production Shane Bates was in the director’s chair and has come up with a heart warming show. Helen Kohlhagen did the colourful costumes, Genesian Theatre Company stalwart Michael Schell arranged the sound and lighting design, Ho-Seck Lee provided the piano accompaniment, Jess Hamby was Assistant Director and the Stage Manager was Glen Harman.
Summing up the show. Very witty with a smattering of one liners and puns throughout. Some catchy songs, built into/ integral to the play, which the cast performed well. A clever and uncomplicated plot line that is resolved in Act 2, leaving time for even a few classic Christmas songs at the end. The audience left with smiles on their faces. It was a good night’s entertainment which will appeal to kids of all ages.
Recommended, WHAT SANTA DOES THE OTHER DAYS OF THE YEAR is playing the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney until 8 December, 2018.
http://www,genesiantheatre,com.au
Featured image – Tristan Black as Alf the Elf in the Genesian Theatre Company’s production of WHAT SANTA DOES OTHER DAYS OF THE YEAR. Pic Grant Fraser.