Christmas Stars

I was hooked ***** Christmas Stars Review by Paul Levie for the Herald Express

The minute the whole cast started belting out ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, I was hooked. I instantly remembered my two favourite things about Christmas.  Love Actually on the telly and the Babbacombe Theatre Christmas Show.

And at last, the little gem on the edge of Babbacombe Downs has got its just rewards.  It’s just been voted the best theatre in Devon by TripAdvisor.  And that’s YOU folks…...the audience!

This year we were in slightly unfamiliar hands, with loveable Welshman David Arnold taking the vital role of comedian-compere for the first time.  But he smashed it, captivating the discerning audience from the first gag.

His warmth and charm had them eating out of his hands, and with a big contingent of Welsh holidaymakers, he felt at home immediately.

The comedy burden was shared by master of the illusion, Peter Baffles, whose act matches up to his name – how does he do that??

But over the last few years, Peter has grown in both scope and stature and now commands more stage time, delighting the bewitched and befuddled crowd.

He doesn’t work with a glamourous assistant like some illusionists.  Instead, he uses the front row of the audience – and don’t they love it?  Being ‘picked on’ by Peter is always a joy and everyone responds to the rapport between them.

But like all Babbacombe Shows, Christmas Stars is built very much on memorable music, dramatic dance and cracking costumes.  And this year is better than ever.

We are treated to not one, but two headline female vocalists.  The feisty redhead Claire Waring and the cool blonde Lucy J Samuels.

And we are treated to not one, but two headline male vocalists.  And they’re both called Joe…

Joe Giordano, with his smouldering Latin looks, and the urbane and elegant Joe Stone, making his third appearance at Babbacombe.

All four produce stunning solo performances and divine duets.

But put the four together and WOW!  They blow the roof off!  Four enchanting entertainers who are at the top of their game, brilliantly bouncing off each other and each encouraging the others to new heights.  Superb.

It’s no coincidence that several of the cast of Christmas Stars have part-time careers in modelling – they’re such a good-looking bunch.  And none more so than the incredible dance troupe – Danze Starz.

Where producer Colin Matthews finds these talented and tantalising troupers I’ll never know?  And most remarkable of all, many of them are local.

They turn their hand to anything, throughout the show – from tap to ballet, jazz to contemporary, and salsa to swing.

It’s a mark of Colin’s respect and admiration for his dancers that he gives each of them their own photo and biography in the souvenir programme.  You won’t find that in many theatres around the country, believe me.

But that’s just one part of the attention to detail that Colin puts into all his productions.  And that’s why Babbacombe has just won the Big One.

TripAdvisor rarely gets it wrong.  So, take a yuletide trip to the show that’s got everyone buzzing – and see what all the fuss is about!

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“It’s a real corker of a Christmas show!" Christmas Stars Review By Dawn Gillingwater for The Torbay Weekly

If you are feeling a bit bah humbug and have the winter blues, get yourself down to Babbacombe Theatre and see their variety extravaganza Christmas Stars.

With music, dance, comedy and magic performed by a more than able cast it’s a real festive treat to lift your spirits.The show is laced together courtesy of the fun and upbeat compere David Arnold. The Welsh comedian has a talent for natural humour and charmed the audience from the off.
His segments where he poked fun at himself showing pictures of him as a child was a nice touch and the audience lapped up a sketch where he played homage to legendary comedian Tommy Cooper.

Babbacombe Theatre regular Peter Baffles was on form with his illusions. With his tongue in cheek comedy and banter with the crowd, he is a definite showman. His tricks were great to watch, and we couldn’t wait to see what magic he would do each time it was his turn to take centre stage.
A card trick involving a pair of pants was super clever and the audience were left speechless when he did a trick picking the lottery numbers.

The variety show wouldn’t be complete without accomplished vocalists. Each are talented, but when they come together, they are a force; their harmonies are another level and there’s a great rapport between the fab four.

Claire Waring was simply sensational, living every moment on stage like it is her last. Her passion for performing is clear to see and she a firecracker! Her rendition of Cher’s, I Can Turn Back Time was a show stealer. Complete with sparkly fringed leotard and a bevy of dancers, she looked like a pop star and sounded like a pop star!

Other leading vocalist Lucy J Samuel’s was also on form and showed off her range singing everything from Taylor Swift’s Love Story to Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. She’s a real talent and a dynamo.

The two male vocalists Joe Giordano and Joe Stone, both complimented one another and their vocals were unquestionable.  Joe Stone’s Chicago number as Billy Flynn was memorable, flanked by the dance troupe with huge, feathered fans he looked like a star.
I’ve seen Joe Giordano a few times in shows and his confidence and stage presence has grown a lot over the years and he’s a real credit to the show.

Danze Starz- the dancers-work hard, they are on stage more than most of the cast and thanks to expert choreography by Lucy O’Neill they dazzle throughout. They also get their moment to shine performing a modern ballet number to open the second half.
The theatre has invested in its costumes, and they perfectly complimented the songs and segments from fur trimmed attire for the festive offerings to glamourous show-stopping dresses for duets.

There were some great moments, but favourites were the cast’s rendition of the festive classic, Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Elton John as well as the nod to the new Wicked movie, which makes the show bang up to date.

If you haven’t got friends or family a Christmas present yet, buy them a ticket to see Christmas Stars. It’s a real corker of a Christmas show!

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“Wow what a great night!” Christmas Stars review by Richard Killick, Riviera FM 107.9 Breakfast Show Presenter

If you want a laugh during these winter months and have those winter blues disappear, you can, whilst supporting your local theatre.

The Christmas Stars Show at Babbacombe Theatre is absolutely brilliant from start to finish, with songs from numerous musical theatre shows and pop classics including some seasonal favourites, that spanned the decades! I enjoyed every single featured musical number, not just the production numbers, but the solos and duets also.

Your compare and headlining act is Welshman, David Arnold, who was not just funny, but very very funny! Also making us laugh whilst making you question what you see was the comedy magician, Peter Baffles, he’s good! They are joined on stage by the very talented cast, 4 incredible vocalists, who hit every note, and not a step was missed by the stunning troupe of dancers, Dance Starz.

The show from start to finish is full of dancing, singing, one liners, funny sketches, great music and hilarious jokes, all with wonderful sets and costumes. This is a show that boasts the feel-good factor, it won’t disappoint.

I felt so energised after leaving the theatre, it is a great night out for all the family; I can highly recommend, Christmas Stars!

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These were all 5 Star reviews...............our first Google & TripAdvisor reviews for Christmas Stars

***** "If it’s the only thing you do in the run up to Christmas is go to see the fabulous Christmas Stars you won’t be disappointed, great show from start to finish, both girl singers are amazing as were the boys, wonderful dancers, mesmerising magic and so much more for that good feel factor! Angie S

***** "Well, another sparkly, energetic Christmas Show! I love the purple suit worn by Welsh Dave, and all the cast work well together, with a lovely variety of music and groan worthy jokes". Rosemary W

*****  We went to the Christmas Stars show yesterday evening. It was good value for money - the Singers had really great voices, the dancers were amazing and the comedian and magician were good fun.I would recommend it". Clare R

Facebook post "Absolutely stunning" Brian KP