CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE SA Light Opera Society (SALOS) Goodwood Institute Theatre Until 17 Dec 2006 Review by Stephanie Johnson “Christmas Cavalcade” is an old-fashioned concoction of carols, songs, dress-ups and jokes reminiscent of a family Christmas concert of yesteryear. Favorite uncles (Jeff Carey) tell a few groan-worthy jokes and dearly loved cousins (Cathy Johns and Caroline Stanley-Smith) sing their rendition of golden oldies such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. The women don their Christmas best with more bling than the Christmas tree and even the youngsters have a go. This is all interspersed with much frivolity. Musical Director Peter Potts and Director Pam Tucker do a great job with this nostalgic assortment of Christmas treats. The program may have a family atmosphere, but it is professional and packed with brightly costumed individual acts and rousing chorus numbers. The set is simple and easily changed, which keeps the evening’s program, packed tighter than a Christmas cracker, moving right along. The opening “Old Fashioned Christmas” medley sets the mood and is a treat with the chorus scattered around red-clothed tables and a sparkly Christmas tree. “A Jolly Holly Christmas” and “Let’s Have an Old-Fashioned Christmas” set the tone for the night. “Australian Jingle Bells”, “Keep it Gay” with Alex Bond and Aaron MacDonald, “Funiculi Funicula” with Jeff Carter, “The Good Ship Lollipop” by the cross-dressing chorus and “Winter Wonderland” by Pam Tucker and Sandra Fameli are just a few of the highlights. Each season this company dishes out a good dose of merriment and perhaps the penultimate example of what it means to be a SALOS yuletider is Terry O’Donaghue. Old-timer Terry is an entertainer, crooner and raconteur. During “Terry Time” he works the audience with repartee, jokes and the occasional song. His swansong “My Way’ epitomizes a character who is likely to be sorely missed. “Christmas Cavalcade” is indeed a parade, a long procession of SALOS talent, finishing at 11pm. It is a Christmas cracker for the faithful followers of old-fashioned Christmas fare.