There is nothing quite like the West End to start getting in the mood for Christmas. There’s nothing quite like the musical White Christmas to get the bells of the festive period jingling. News that White Christmas is coming to the Dominion Theatre from November through to January is bound to be met with excitement – but who will star in the festive show…?
Will Alfie Boe star in White Christmas at the West End?
One of the most wonderful components of musical theatre is its ability to completely transport audiences into another world. The art of taking an auditorium into ‘another world’ can the applied to White Christmas. This heart-warming musical is based on the 1954 film of the same name.
A feel good story
The plot is centred on two World War II US Army pals, Bob Wallace who is a Broadway entertainer and Phil Davies, a would-be entertainer. After the war the duo make it big. The successful song-and-dance double act become intrigued by the singing Haynes Sisters, Betty and Judy. The entertainers latch on to the sisters’ trip to Vermont. Here they discover that the hotel, which is owned by their former commander, is in financial trouble. The feel good story involves the entertainers helping the hotel survive the way they know best.
It certainly has all the hallmarks of being a huge hit at the Dominion Theatre this Christmas but who will make up the cast?
Alfie Boe, Tom Chambers or Craig McLachlan?
Rumour has it that White Christmas will be starring Alfie Boe. The English tenor who played Jean Valjean in the West End and also in a televised Les Miserables 25th anniversary special at the O2 Arena, would certainly promise to bring love and energy to this feel good musical.
There has also been mention that Tom Chambers might star in the Christmas show. In 2012, Tom Chambers took the lead role of the acclaimed dance musical Tom Hat. The Starlight ambassador also invited Starlight to benefit from the first ever West End performance at The Aldwych Theatre. Having been greeted with a standing ovation after the Starlight performance, we would be inclined to suggest Tom Chambers would have been an ideal member of cast for White Christmas at the West End. Though according to hearsay, Chambers has been rejected for not being ‘current’.
Talking about being ‘current’, there’s been discussion that Craig McLachlan will star in the forthcoming White Christmas. We have to admit this versatile and well-known Australian actor is no stranger to West End success. Mclachlan starred alongside Debbie Gibson in the West End revival of Grease in 1993. Perhaps it’s because Mclachlan’s stage production of Grease held the West End all time box office record from 1993 right up until 2010 means the Australian actor is eternally perceived as being ‘current’.
What about Michael Ball?
It’s also been suggested that producers wanted Michael Ball to star at the Dominion at Christmas but unfortunately didn’t have the financial means to stretch that far.
With Bruce Forsyth retired it looks like Alfie’s the hot favourite. Whoever ends up taking the leading role, White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre is likely to a big hit.
