I cannot tell a lie, I am a sucker for Its a Wonderful Life. It is one of my favourite films of all time, so when I discovered that Class Act Productions was going to be performing a stage production for its Christmas 2024 show, I was adamant that I wanted to be able to review the show. I am currently awaiting knee surgery i three days' time but I wasn't going to miss this, and I am glad that I was able to get along to see how they tackled such a beloved and challenging story on stage. I was not disappointed.
It was a joy to see the venue almost totally sold out with only a handful of seats (if that!) free for Amanda Pearce's production of Mary Elliot Nelson's play. As usual, Class Act had two principle casts for the show and I saw the production on Friday night. The legendary role of George Bailey was fulfilled by Charlie Henderson. George is a genuine, all-round good guy that everybody loves because his first thought is always for others rather than himself. Henderson gave a winning performance of the role and worked well with Ayla Jafri as his soon-to-be wife Mary. He conveyed a sense of decency and frustration at the troubles piling up on him as Act One progressed. Jafri was utterly charming as Mary and her winning smile was totally in character as the warm-hearted girl who George promises to lasso the moon for.
George's life was overseen by aspiring angel Clarissa played by Jade Priestley. Priestley's naive and trusting Clarence was a pleasure to behold as she strove to understand why George becomes a man at the end of his tether willing to commit suicide and wishing he had never been born. In a quest to win her wings, Clarissa arranges for George to see how the world would be different had he never been born and to realise that George Bailey does actually enjoy a wonderful life.
Poppy Webb-Jones made an excellent Aunt Dilly, a slightly absent-minded but good-hearted soul who needs George to help her save the Building and Loan company run by the family. Tilly Burnett as the ever-flirtatious Violet Bick was fun and had the audience giggling as she flirted with the always oblivious George. Charlie Walker was strong as Sam Wainwright, George's best friend since childhood and ultimately his saviour when good turns to bad throughout the play, and also provided a wonderful caricature of Mr Martini the Italian bar owner and friend of George. Oli Goodman was effective as George's younger brother Harry, the war hero and handled the part well. Finally, Will Smith was a particularly malevolent baddie in the evil Mr Potter determined to bring down Bailey's Building and Loan for his own ends.
There were many effective cameo moments for other performers including Ella Lloyd as the young incarnation of Violet and Jayden Henfrey as Bert the cop. Emily Eastwood and Mya Clarke-Edwards were gloriously imperial, angelic figures instructing Clarissa and the Bailey children provided a great family setting for the show. I also enjoyed the trio of singers at the end of Act One and the beginning of Act Two, with Isabel Hibbard really standing out and Imogen Taylor providing strong vocals. Jaz Hibbard and Katy Jackson also joined the aforementioned and performed well within their trio.
The show was perfect pre-Christmas fare and delighted the audience both young and old. I hope that it bodes well for the choice of material for Class Act Production's 2025 season and I hope that I will join them again (with a new bionic knee!) I love how many opportunities teh company gives to young performers in our area and long may they continue.
Andy Evans 18 November 2024.
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