MIRACLE ON 34th Street- TOWN AND GOWN THEATRE

Want to take yourself back to the 1950s? Become a New Yorker for a couple of hours as part of the audience at a fast talking , advertisement riddled Radio Studio? Step right into the warm embrace of the luxurious Town and Gown, a chic new theatre slap bang in the centre of Cambridge - it simply crackles with Christmas jollity. As you take your seat.a sophisticated gaggle of American actors, their suits and skirts all part of the Mad Men vibe, clatter and chatter around the studio as they warm up for  the broadcast of Radio afternoon matinee show. Slowly you realise you’ve taken the Time Machine to a world of hilarious harmonies,  Barber shop songs and fast talking Yankee presentation. Ralph Warman as the piano playing host is a marvel of bossy confidence - and fabulous keyboard skills. Soon you join the slick, precision of their radio world and the afternoon drama Miracle on 34th Street.

William Spencer and Sam Carlyle - sing their way to true believers

First there are the commercials. Brilliantly conceived  by Karl Steele and expertly delivered in five part tonal perfection, they take a sly dig at the naive customers and manipulative salesmen of the post war America’s consumer jungle. Once we realise we are in a play within a play, the conceit is complete. We are hooked.

Make believe is the heart of this Christmas classic

The story is charming. A single mother Doris, Sam Carlyle is superb as  a manager at Macey’s the famous Department Store is in a pickle.. It’s Christmas and the usual Santa Claus has gone too far with his heavy drinking and exits the scene to leave a gaping vacancy. Suddenly Kris Kringle appears .Kerry Frater is  brilliant as the  glamorous affable loveable clever and charismatic substitute in store Santa. Except he claims to be the real Father Christmas.

Kerry Frater is the real Father Christmas

Ranged around a set of microphones, this inspired ensemble manage to conjure an entire cast of men and women . Kris finds himself before the New York Magistrates Court accused of madness only to be saved by a child’s faith in his real existence. Neighbour and lawyer Fred Galley played with superb  all-American boyish appeal by William Spencer is in love with Doris and comes into his own with a cool performance before the bewildered beak. But it’s Doris’ little daughter, Susan, ( played by a delightful Lulu Besse, the role rotates between four Cambridge little girls) who clinches Father Christmas’s acquittal with her touching faith in him.. 

 This is  the art of theatre at its most potent -I confess to tears as little Susan sang her song of belief - and Kris nearly loses his. 

One hundred per cent acting skill creates the fascinating world of radio - complete with the fake crowds and roaring  traffic. The ensemble acting was first class—special gasps of admiration for Laura Cove and Anton Tweedale who play a range of characters with unbelievable verve and style.

This show  conjured the spirit of Christmas for a sad sceptic like me. This is just what everyone needs right now. Make sure you find your way to the The Town and Gown and from thence to a high stepping energetic mid century  America and finally a really heart warming affirmation of the real spirit of Christmas

Quite a journey. A Miracle on Market Passage you might say.

Miracle on 34th Street continues until Christmas Eve, of course.

Anton Tweedale a never less than superb chameleon