Poole & Parkstone Productions [P&P Productions] 
Barrington Centre, Ferndown 
Renée Claude
29 November 2024
Poole and Parkstone Productions have outdone themselves with That’s Snowbusiness, currently showing at the Barrington Arts Centre in Ferndown. The festive atmosphere hit me as soon as I walked through the doors, with a live band playing Christmas jazz and a raffle for a huge chocolate hamper setting the tone for a night of holiday cheer.
The show began with the company’s performance of ‘That Christmas Morning Feeling’, which set a high bar for the evening. The harmony, costuming, energy, and dazzling choreography were impeccable, making for a perfect opener. The performers’ clear annunciation and smiling faces added to the joy of the number.
The children’s chorus followed with ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’, an adorable and well-executed number that showcased great musicality and choreography.
This production truly had something for everyone, appealing to all ages and music tastes. The trip down memory lane with jazzy numbers like ‘Candy Cane Lane’, ‘The Man with the Bag’, and a rock ‘n’ roll Christmas medley featuring ‘Little Saint Nick’ and ‘Run Run Rudolph’ was delightful, sung in perfect harmony with a nostalgic, croon-y feel.
A standout from Act 1 was ‘The Ukrainian Bell Carol’, a hauntingly beautiful piece with melodies and harmonies performed effortlessly. Other favourites included ‘That’s What Christmas Means to Me’ and ‘Zat You Santa Claus?’. Both songs featured soulful, powerful vocals from their soloists and incredible dancing. However, in ‘That’s What Christmas Means to Me,’ the four lead singers (May Fripp, Jordan Lindsay, Chris Stowe, and Trae Walsh) were often overshadowed by the (fabulously lively) dancers, and I wished they had more visibility.
Act 1 concluded with two songs from the children’s chorus, ‘It Feels Like Christmas’ and ‘We Need a Little Christmas’. Their voices blended splendidly, captivating the audience and showcasing their ability to master both songs and dances while maintaining their enthusiasm and smiles.
After a 20-minute interval, Act 2 opened with a rock ‘n’ roll medley, followed by the elegant ‘Christmas Lullaby’ performed by Dani Warner, Clare Albanozzo and Leanne Holland in a gorgeous three-part harmony. Another beautiful rendition was ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’, sung by May Fripp, whose performance was West End-worthy. Her charisma and energy throughout the show were remarkable, and this solo number gave me chills.
‘O Holy Night’ was another spine-tingling performance, demonstrating the immense talent required to sing in harmony and sustain notes with such precision. The production wasn’t all heart-warming numbers, though; the comedic songs received the largest applause and audience reaction.
A particularly surprising and hilarious moment was the performance of ‘All I Want for Christmas’ by eight female cast members. Instead of the expected Mariah Carey hit, a group of nuns sang ‘All I Want for Christmas is a One Night Stand’, leading to a pleasantly stunned audience, especially when they stripped!
Another comedic highlight was ‘Stay Another Day’, sung by Chris Stowe, Lewis Baines, Luke Earl, and Trae Walsh. Complete with all-white outfits and perfectly executed boyband mannerisms, it was a clear audience favourite.
The talented cast was supported by an equally talented crew. This is only Kellie Oxborrow’s sixth time directing for P&P, and she did a spectacular job alongside Dani Warner, Leanne Holland, Chris McDouall, and Corrine Rigler. The band, front of house team, sound and lighting crew, and wardrobe team all deserve congratulations for their attention to detail and ensuring the show ran smoothly.
That’s Snowbusiness is a must-see, delivering festive cheer and entertainment with top-notch performances and production quality. Don’t miss the final performances on November 30th at 2:30pm and 7:30pm!
