Danny Mac stars in ‘tiresome’ White Christmas Musical in the West End

Review

By Joe Kasper

28th November 2019, 6:11 pm

Updated: 13th January 2020, 10:57 am

ONCE you’ve seen one cheesy American musical number, you’ve seen them all.

This is certainly the case for White Christmas which, incidentally, isn’t Christmassy at all.

Danny’s dancing is better than most of those on Strictly Come Dancing

The only exception is the occasional ‘Merry Christmas’ shrieked by one of the overly happy actors – and even that is always followed by that annoying Americanism ‘Happy Holidays’ so as not to upset non-believers.

Oh, and there’s a big Christmas tree at the end.

The problem with White Christmas is it’s the usual clichés you’ll experience with any other theatre production.

A mixture of annoyingly chirpy, Cheshire cat grinning Brits putting on that theatrical US accent which is such a cliché.

Then there’s the odd disgruntled characters like Danny Mac’s Bob Wallace, swinging chairs and changing places whilst singing a jolly song about snow or something to do with love.

The Hollyoaks star is outshone by co-star Dan Burton

White Christmas, incidentally, isn’t Christmassy at all

Leading man, Danny is a good actor and singer, but he’s outshone by Dan Burton, who plays his randy business partner Phil Davis.

The plot all revolves around the latter tricking him in to putting on a theatre show in Vermont – all in his pursuit of love.

Danny’s moves are effortlessly fantastic and you’ll struggle to find a better dancer outside of Strictly Come Dancing.

It’s just his numbers go on for too long and become tiresome.

The singing and dancing as a whole is decent, but that’s as far as it goes.

The singing and dancing as a whole is good, but that’s as far as it goes

There are a few light-hearted laughs but it’s the humour of lowest common denominator.

And then there’s the incredibly pathetic attempt at modernisation with a ‘woke’ production to include an unnecessary gay kiss – not included in Irving Berlin’s original version.

Just why?

Save yourself a few quid and put on Grease followed by Love, Actually to get you in the festive mood.

Because, surprisingly, White Christmas won’t.