Silent Night - 2nd December 2010

Hijinx Theatre was created in 1981 to create theatre which is accessible, and entertaining for small communities. Odyssey Theatre was set up in 1999 for all adults including those with learning disabilities.

While people were preparing to head towards the main auditorium of the Millenium Centre to see " Mamma Mia" and know exactly what they would get, they missed a treat. Next door in the more intimate and nicely full Weston Studio Odyssey Theatre performed their latest offering "Silent Night."

Loosely based on how Austrian priest Father Joseph Mohr came to write this famous carol. The story centred on how a flood trapped the local villagers, the Finkels in a church. There arch enemies were the Amsels who later were forced to seek shelter in the church. Initially the old grudges ensured they remained at opposite ends of the hall but the discovery of a heavily pregnant woman and a love story between a woman and man from the rival factions ultimately ( as we always knew it would) helped to heal the rift.

Despite the above the story doesn't really matter. This was an hour spent in the company of performers and members of Meadowbank School and the Odyssey Theatre. In the real world some of the acting was basic but fortunately, once you entered the theatre you were in an old-fashioned nativity play. You were immediately greeted by impressive music from students of the Welsh College of Music and Drama playing and singing carols and Christmas songs.

The thrill of the evening was watching everyone involved thoroughly enjoying themselves and proving that theatre can and is available for all. Some of the set-pieces, villagers precariously staggering through treacherous conditions ( which ironically is what many of the audience would have endured on their journey tonight) the singing ( dramatic and both funny) taunts of the rival villagers, the near drowning scenes and the music were extremely well done.


The pantomime element wasn't ignored either with the audience involvement encouraged and I will never forget singing and signing " Ding Dong Merrily On High". A perfect pre-Christmas outing hitting the perfect balance between seasonal fun and making the always relevant message about communities getting on together.