Writer: Jim Cartwright
Director: Jimmy Fairhurst
A Christmas fair is a heart warming reminder of the importance of community. But, despite its strong casting and high production value, a night and day first to second act make this show’s target audience difficult to picture.
The show is a fictionalisation of the community group behind Chadderton town hall’s Christmas fair, where the show is set. The story follows ‘keeping up appearances’ popular mum, Veronica, sweet and caring waitress, Lucy, out of towner and cynical young playwright, Johnny, Christmas humbug, the Caretaker, and the jovial and supportive Vicar. The ramshackle group set up the Christmas fair in act one, in which the audience can walk around in the interval, and then take down the stalls in the second act.
Filled with festive nods and winks to classic Christmas arts and literature, the show inventively includes readings of Christmas books like A Christmas Carol and The Night Before Christmas as performed in rap form by a group of young carollers. Creating the feeling of a festive archive for all ages.
Being able to walk around the Christmas fair and buy a book or play a game in the interval really makes you feel a part of the community the production is showing you. This feature is a great asset to the show which makes it something a little different than any other show you’ve seen. Combined with the chairs being right on the performance floor, in an in the round set up, this production does well to make you feel up close to the action.
A whistlestop tour of festive favourites, this show had a bit of everything from tree decorating, to a Santa’s grotto, and Christmas carols. The production’s light panto humour kept it buoyant and light. You could really imagine little ones enjoying the musical numbers, colourful lighting, physical comedy, and the title Christmas fair in the interval.
The darkness of the second act came as a shock to the production. Though the dramatic monologues succeeded in convincing the audience that ‘everyone is not as they seem’ through the cast’s faultless performances, the dark themes are a jarring contrast with the first act. Sensitive subject matter of violence, death, drug abuse, and crime were unsuitable for even the children who take part in the show.
From the website which says ‘everyone is welcome’ there were some not child-friendly stories which makes this show not a family production. The 12+ rating should be listened to. As a result, the show seemed to lose track of its key audience, being too fluffy for adults in act one then too dark for children in act two.
The acting performances in this show could be enjoyed by everyone. Lee Toomes stepping in as the caretaker after John Henshaw’s sudden illness was a smash hit. His fed up yet kind-hearted inflection felt like your dad’s mate from down the pub from the very start. Samantha Robinson as Veronica was also a familiar personality who everyone has in their life, the perfect mum who keeps everyone happy and keeps up appearances. Dickon Tyrell portrayed an approachable, father-figure vicar with comfortable ease.
The dialogue at times came off a bit unnatural, being either too poetic or too stilted. Unfortunately, the two younger character’s dialogue suffered the most, making them seem less realistic than their adult counterparts. But it’s a testament to the great acting from Kelise Gordon-Harrison as Lucy and Paddy Stafford as Johnny that by the end of the first act their character’s personalities came to life.
The pair also had undeniable chemistry in the role, creating a wonderful ‘will-they-won’t-they’ tension which was beautifully developed and unrushed throughout the performance. With the script hinting at their flirting and a climactic romantic encounter scene- it was slightly disappointing to not see this thread of the story get developed more by the show’s end. However, this disappointment is only born out of the convincing and rich performance which was already there.
Though unpredictable at times, this show packed a festive punch. Its strong cast held up its heartwarming story, giving performances you could expect to see in Manchester theatres like the Royal Exchange. Besides not being a family show, this production has its heart in the right place and will get you into the Christmas spirit.
Runs until 2 January 2026
