Director: Ged Graham
Imagine a winter’s scene in Central Park, New York. You come across three musicians and a man wanting to share their excitement of a Christmas back home in the Emerald Isle. This is A Fairytale for Christmas. There is not a Christmas tree, Santa or nativity scene in sight but there is nostalgia a plenty for all those Christmas number one hit songs and catchy Irish standards made famous by the likes of the Dubliners. The show is Christmas and St Patrick’s Day all rolled into one. Add to the mix a troupe of six, lithe Irish female dancers with a good helping of River Dance about them and get ready to be transported to the festive season and the spirit of Christmas.
This touring concert is packed with energy and talent. Produced by Prestige Productions, famed for productions of Seven Drunken Nights, That’ll Be The Day and Live Forever. This is the fourth sell-out tour of A Fairytale for Christmas .
The show has been touring throughout November and December with three different casts. The performance demands a high level of energy and vitality for its numerous routines and in that regard it certainly does not disappoint.
On stage throughout the concert is a fiddle player, guitarist and banjo player who are also talented singers. They are accompanied, and mostly drowned out, by high levels of pre-recorded background music. Most of the music is belted-out but there are also solos and quiet times. The audience is invited to join in the merriment by the warm, engaging and gifted compère. He has a great singing voice, as does the female vocalist.
The Irish dancing is a wonderful spectacle, with high leaps and impressive precision. The choreographer has done a great job of adapting the genre to accompany the numerous Christmas songs. There are regular costume changes which added to the varied and colourful lighting effect all contributes to the delight.
From I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday and White Christmas to Molly Malone and The Wild Rover, there are popular tunes in abundance. A family party atmosphere is created with the audience invited to join in this vibrant, fun loving show. Expect 130 minutes of pure entertainment in two acts.
Reviewed on 11 December 2025.
Touring until 22 December 2025.
The Reviews Hub Star Rating