Babbacombe serves up good old fashioned entertainment for Christmas

As locals, we may have a presumption that the annual shows at the Babbacombe Theatre are a certain type of entertainment and that they are mainly lapped up by the year-round coach parties. We would be right.

But let me tell you, Colin Matthews has not put on variety shows for nearly four decades without learning how to get it right.

I would challenge anyone not to go and see their ‘Christmas Party Time’ show, this winter, and not leave feeling a lot better. In fact, perhaps this show should be on prescription? 

We all are guilty of not supporting some of our better attractions and the Babbacombe Theatre falls in with others such as Paignton Zoo, Kents Cavern or the Model Village.

We see them as something just for visitors, whereas we have some incredible experiences sitting right on our doorstep. Don’t fall into that trap – get out of the house and give yourself a festive treat. 

Yes, a lot of the show and the jokes could easily have been put on 20 years ago, but is that a bad thing? What you get is wonderful array of music, comedy, magic and dance, in the spirit of the Sunday Night at the Palladium.

If you crave comedians who tell proper jokes and songs you can join in with, then this is the night out for you. And it’s good – really good. 

There are three acts that really set this show above what you might expect. The evening is compered by Welsh comedian David Arnold, who holds the whole thing together with real personality. You can’t teach ‘likeability’ but he has it, and from the outset the audience, were joining in, and clearly loved him.

He is both sympathetic and funny, judging his material perfectly, with an act that built cleverly across the night.

Singer Claire Waring is a real local ‘find’ and again, she has that special something that engages the audience and which you either have, or you don’t.

On the night I was there, her opening number with fellow singer Aimee Evans, didn’t quite work (I think something to do with the sound levels), but after that she showed huge range and an ability to blend in humour. I can see why she also would make an excellent Musical Theatre performer, too.

The Babbacombe Theatre Christmas Party Time dancers

They were supported constantly by six incredible dancers called Dance Magique, who were exceptional and massive credit should go to choreographer Lucy O’Neill who has injected huge twenty-first century energy into this show. 

Joe Stone adds impressive male vocals and the magician, Peter Baffles, is great value, with a very relaxed style, as well as acting as the butt of many of the other cast’s jokes.

Wayne Martin does everything from sing, dance and tell jokes. His Benny Hill inspired song ‘In the Garden of Love’, might sound horrendous on paper, but was a real highlight of Act One.

Interestingly, although the show is marketed as a Christmas show, probably only a quarter of the two hours was taken up with festive themed songs or acts. However, by the end, the whole theatre, which sits 600, were singing along to ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’. 

If the aged audience could have got to their feet, I am sure they would have given a standing ovation. 

No, seriously, this is a fantastic feel-good show that you should take you friends to. You’d have to be the ultimate scrooge, not to walk out grinning and been glad you booked. 

The Christmas Party Time show runs until New Years Day. Visit www.babbacombe-theatre.com for more details and to book, or call 01803 328385