WHETHER you like it or not, Christmas is coming and this weekend sees the opening of the spectacular winter musical, White Christmas at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. Based on the record breaking box office film of 1954 starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, White Christmas is arriving in the UK on stage for the very first time with a host of Irving Berlin's best loved song and dance numbers to warm the hearts of both young and old. White Christmas has its European premiere at the Theatre Royal from Saturday until Saturday December 2 2006. Craig McLachlan star of stage and screen (Neighbours, Home and Away, BBC TV's Bugs as well as the hit musical Grease at London's Dominion Theatre) plays singer Bob Wallace. Tim Flavin (nominated for four Olivier Awards and winner for On Your Toes in the West End) plays tap dancer Phil Davis and they are joined by Ken Kercheval as the General (Cliff Barnes from the TV series Dallas) and Lorna Luft as Martha (international musical theatre and cabaret star). Wallace and Davis are successful Broadway partners who become romantically involved with the Haynes Sisters. On vacation in Vermont they stay at a ski resort owned by the boys' former Army General and run by Martha his wisecracking housekeeper. The boys discover they are the only guests because there is no snow! They help out the General by staging their Broadway bound Revue at the resort as well as making a television appeal to their army buddies to show up on Christmas Eve. The result is a spectacular and emotional finale. This uplifting musical has a dazzling score played by a 17 piece orchestra with a cast of over 30 West End performers. This is the perfect Christmas treat for the whole family. After watching rehearsals at the weekend, Michael Rose, the show's producer said: 'I have to say we have a very, very special show in White Christmas. 'It has one of the most amazing dance ensembles I have seen since 42nd Street and one of the most talented cast I think I have ever worked with. 'White Christmas is going to be an early Christmas present for the South West!' Box office 01752 267222.
