Millie and Snowy’s Magical Christmas Tree
Festive Fun and Fantasy
Millie and Snowy’s Magical Christmas Tree
by David Kerby-Kendall
Stephen Leslie Productions at the Hampton Hill Theatre until 24th December
Review by Gill Martin
The England goalie arrives on stage by scooter, boasting a football shirt, tutu and a frizz of pink curls. This Queen Mother of Fairies is named Doris, whose spells go hilariously wrong.
This is a cracker of a Christmas show. Fifty joyous minutes to entrance three to eight-year-olds sharing popcorn with mummies, daddies, grannies and grandpas.
They’re an enthusiastic bunch at Hampton Hill Theatre, all up for a treat before 25th December that doesn’t involve panic shopping for overpriced gifts or overdosing on mince pies and cinnamon lattes.
This full house found the opening show of Millie and Snowy’s Magical Christmas Tree an ideal choice, a jolly mix of music, dance and puppetry, festive fun and fantasy. Audience participation is non-negotiable, so be ready to sing, clap and yell out what’s on your wish list for Santa to deliver. Lego and Spiderman are favourite. (One budding entrepreneur suggested an aeroplane.)
The youngsters voice their vitriol for the compulsory baddie (Michael Gillette), evil owner of a dog pound who routinely deprives the inmates of food and exercise. With his bling and camelhair coat, he richly deserves every boo and hiss from the audience.
The description of versatile was one made for Gillette. He slips effortlessly and convincingly between a sackful of roles and voices: a Shakespearean character, a magnificent prancing stag that’s King of the Forest, a tree. Yes, a tree. He can’t possibly be the Great Man himself, a very jolly white bearded Father Christmas. Or can he?
There’s no doubt he plays Millie’s father whose failing ice cream business means no funds for a Christmas tree. Cue one very disappointed Millie (Abi Laura-Mitchel), whose mission now is to find a freebie in the forest . . . or earn enough money to buy one.
She offers her dog walking services to the dodgy dog pound man after falling in love with a fluffy white hound she names Snowy (Georgia Maclennan). The plot thickens as she plans to rescue Snowy who, in the best traditions of seasonal shows, begins to talk thanks to daft Doris, who also mistakenly makes Millie bark.
Who could resist a fluffy white dog that likes nothing better than a tummy tickle? But remember, any dear reader tempted to follow Millie’s lead, a dog is not just for Christmas.
The intrepid pair embark on their adventure within the enchanted forest — a simple, stylish, shimmering set — to find the perfect tree to make their Christmas special.
And this special show is as heart-warming and welcome as a tot of mulled wine.
Gill Martin, December 2025
Photography courtesy of Stephen Leslie Productions
Mark Aspen 