Sleigh Miserables | Old Joint Stock Theatre

Director, CEO and Artistic Director of Birmingham’s charming pub theatre the Old Joint Stock, James Edge, brings the second evening of his Christmas cabaret to the venue. Led by a stunning trio of performers and MD’d by OJS regular Callum Thompson, Sleigh Miserables is the ultimate night of festivity, filled with Christmas classics, songs from the films, and a bit of musical theatre mixed in for good measure. This also isn’t Edge’s only Christmas project this year, with Songs of the Season which has two performances at the local Cathedral and his less conventionally-Christmasy original musical It’s a Wonderful Knife playing until the 30th December.

The Old Joint Stock is of course the perfect venue to hold such a show, with an intimate space and illusively grand entrance making it feel like you’re entering a different world with every show. The set of It’s a Wonderful Knife still being in the room almost adds to the atmosphere as the performers are elevated above the audience - making them more visible and distinct from the audience in the small space. Impressively, the sound in the room is well balanced by Technical Operator Jacob Finch.

The piano was played by the talented Musical Director Callum Thompson, who has worked previously with Edge on shows like Songs of the Season and their recently What's On Stage nominated, 5 star production of Be More Chill this August. Alongside being an expressive and attentive accompanist, playing the show's music almost masterfully and able to adapt on a moment's notice, his ownership of the scores sets the whole show up to be wonderful as we feel it beautifully adapted and performed.

Thompson and Edge have created a delightful setlist for the evening, balancing, as promised, a mix of much loved Christmas carols, pop hits, songs from films and an irresistible musical theatre number thrown in for good mix (with feature vocals from the pianist himself). Alongside this, Thompson has arranged a number of beautiful original medleys, ranging from solo numbers pulling at heartstrings as they dance from one familiar melody, to another to delightfully silly group pieces, act openers and closers and interluding moments. It is a wonder both how they have been worked together so perfectly and also how they were never not heard this way, with natural transitions holding the through-line of the song well without jarring the audience from one song to another.

These songs, of course, would not be such a triumph without the exceptional talent on stage performing each number, with a cast made up of Jack Carr, who made his professional debut in the Old Joint Stock’s Be More Chill, Caprice Lane who has recently returned as a lead vocalist on a cruise ship and is no stranger to the venue either - having performed in last years production of Zanna, Don’t. - and finally the charming host of the evening, Emily Hespe.

All three performers have undeniable chemistry with each other, easily visible during their duets and trio numbers, as they banter and play off one another, making each moment on stage together even more fun to watch and feel a part of. The performers also all share an impressive talent of performing their medleys without losing the emotional connection to the songs as they change from one to the other, allowing them to take on a whole different meaning and journey as they become a new product once combined, and they all show a clear understanding of the song as it is - rather than sticking with the familiarity of two well-known songs that are simply being played side by side we are given a complete new piece.

Lane is an elegant performer, her powerful vocals soaring through the room and she performs with a tender earnestness that draws you into her performance and works perfectly for her tender ballad numbers that as promised could not possibly leave anyone dry-eyed by the end. Still, she is not to be underestimated in upbeat numbers as she performs some in the show that leave the audience in awe of what took place in front of them, harnessing intense vocal control to astound in her higher range, her voice filling the whole room with tingling excitement.

Carr, having only made his debut this August, continues to stand out as a performer with a unique charm that wins us over through sheer affection at first, only to consolidate our appreciation from the moment he starts to sing. Appearing at first as a sweetly shy performer, he comes alive on stage and has no apprehension with owning the stage and engaging with the audience, bringing us through the journey of the song with him and even directing moments at the audience as if they were personal with enough confidence to let us feel at ease with being included. Carr astounds as a vocalist, with a grand tenor voice and evident dexterity he carries out feat after feat that makes us want to listen to him all day long, all with a look of complete joy and ease. This, combined with his natural charisma makes Carr a stand out performer and a must-see in any future productions.

Hespe is a confident and relaxed host who guides us effortlessly through the evening, not allowing a single minute to drag or feel wasted as she fills the show with her own charm and wit. During her own solo numbers we’re offered an almost total contrast to the tone of the other two, with more cheeky jazz numbers coming from Hespe who uses this to amplify the persona she has as the host and continue getting involved with the audience, never shying away from interaction whether it’s a simple nod to us or her fellow performers, or verging on bringing audience members or even Thompson into the number. Hespe boasts a warm, bold voice that in any other context may be called lulling, but here fits perfectly to the songs she performs and allows her to particularly stand out in the context of the show.

Sleigh Miserables is the Christmas spectacle that you wish would simply go on and on right up until the big day itself, then reinvent itself so it never had to stop. With endless joy, unexpected twists and surprises, a charming and endlessly talented cast delivering plenty of festive spirit and nostalgic classics, this show is undeniably Edge’s third success of the season.

★★★★★ (5*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review