White Christmas The Musical At The Liverpool Empire Review

Reviewed by Kathryn Harrison

If you’re looking for a festive, family treat this December head straight to The Liverpool Empire to watch Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical. This gorgeous show is a feast for the eyes, ears and soul, there’s an abundance of delightful songs and fascinating dance numbers that will keep you entertained all evening.

I visited the Empire on Wednesday evening with a friend and our two daughters aged 9 and 10. Although we were aware of the 1954 film, none of us had watched it before so didn’t know what to expect. The show began at an Army Camp, Christmas Eve 1944. Bob Wallace, played by Jay McGuinness, and Phil Davis, played by Dan Burton, are entertaining the troops with Christmas songs before the gathering being broken up by General Henry Waverly, played by Michael Starke.

In the next scene we skip ahead ten years to Christmas 1954, Bob and Phil have become a top song and dance act performing on TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. After the show the pair are meant to be heading to Florida to spend Christmas rehearsing their new show. Before they head out, Phil drags a reluctant Bob to a local bar to watch a sister act, Betty and Judy Haynes, played by Jessica Daley and Monique Young respectively. Very quickly Phil and Judy hit it off and come up with a plan to trick Bob into joining the girls into spending the Holiday season in Vermont. When they arrive at the Inn in Vermouth, the guys discover the Inn is owned by their former General, Henry Waverly. During the first few days Bob and Betty’s frosty relationship begins to thaw before a confusion occurs which throws a spanner in the works!

As is typical of the musicals of the time, the musical numbers and dances are the main driver of this show while the dialogue and plot are definitely a secondary element. However this wasn’t a problem as the whole cast and swing section were phenomenal. Jay McGuinness as Bob Wallace has a superb voice and sang beautiful numbers throughout the show, Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep was my favourite song of his. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since hearing it! Alongside the delightful music the dance numbers were amazing. The dancers all moved as one and were wonderful to watch, we all particularly enjoyed the tap dance number I Love A Piano. My daughter was fascinated by how the dancers created music with their steps, it was wonderful to watch.

Whilst this show is described as a family show, I don’t think many children aged under 8 would necessarily enjoy it. I have a 6 year old as well as my 10 year old daughter that I took to the show. I feel my 6 year old would have gotten bored quite quickly, however for families with a mix of ages from 8 to 108 it’s absolutely fantastic. The 9 and 10 year olds I took enjoyed the show as much as the adults, they described it as “like Strictly but better!”

This show is wonderful. It feels like an escape from the real world into a Christmas wonderland that everyone will enjoy. Absolutely perfect for this festive time of year.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £13 plus a transaction fee of £3.80

White Christmas is at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from the 6th to the 31st of December, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/white-christmas/liverpool-empire/ or call the box office on 020 7206 1174

Empire Theatre, 1 Lime St, Liverpool L1 1JE, UK