It was a dark and stormy night for the opening of SALOS production of Christmas in the Air but despite the inclement weather the theatre was packed with an appreciative audience.  From the opening Merry Christmas medley through to the Christmas Carols at the end SALOS provided well over two hours of musical, comedy and dance entertainment. 

 

The ensemble numbers were harmonious, colourful, and well choreographed.  The program included many well-known songs presented by the full chorus, individual soloists or small groups, and there was also the opportunity for audience participation. In addition to all of the Christmas songs, I particularly enjoyed the ‘sky songs’ and Katrin Treloar’s Waltzing in the Clouds accompanied by a graceful dance routine by Ellen Fogarty, Caitlyn Rugless and Kaitlyn Bowes.  Other personal favourites for me included Anthony Little’s rendition of Love Changes Everything, Marion Manuel and Ralph Gourley’s duets, Carolyn Adams singing Always a Bridesmaid and Sean Nugent’s It’s the Same Old Shillelagh.

 

And then there were the comedy skits and they were all funny (in that Dad joke/ Christmas Cracker vein!) especially Yaputcha and Laugh-In Revisited.  

 

The inclusion of some more modern music in the second half (Little Shop of Horrors, etc.) did not really work and the lively energy of the overall program sagged a little before being rescued by the Sound of Music selection.

 

Congratulations to Director Pam Tucker, accompanist Mary Greig, and the musicians hidden in the background. Hats off to the whole company – your audience left smiling – Christmas is definitely in the air!