| Fact File | - The show runs daily (most days twice daily) at 2.30pm and 7pm until Friday 23 December.
- Thursford Museum is at Thursford Green, on the A148 between Holt and Fakenham. Tel: 01328 878 477.
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It truly is a wonder that Thursford Christmas Spectacular survives in cynical old Britain and yet you cannot ignore the facts. When the staff return to the office after the New Year festivities, an average of 65,000 applications for tickets for next year's show will already be waiting for them. Tickets for this year are pretty well sold out - that means 104,000 people will be attending 71 shows over the next few weeks. It's Norfolk's best known secret, and never fails to amaze, delight and entertain its loyal audience.
Part of Thursford's charm lies in its unabashed devotion to sentiment and Christmas in particular. God knows, with the world in the condition it is currently in, there must be many seeking the solace and comfort of old-fashioned Christmases we like to think we enjoyed as children. It must also be one of the largest variety shows still playing to packed houses, outside of Las Vegas. The standard this year remains high, with professional singers and dancers working their way through a myriad of Christmas hymns and seasonal songs, accompanied by a very lively and talented group of musicians. If I had any criticism, it would be that there might be too many carols and, judging from the reaction to some of the show tunes, more of those would be welcome.
To experience the interior of the Thursford theatre building is to reach for the sunglasses. Never have I seen as many Christmas lights and decorations gathered together in one place. It is like walking into a Christmas wonderland and that's just off-stage. Once the show has begun, the widescreen stage is lit in turn with a spectrum of colours, with specially designed lighting sets for each number. I wouldn't want to get Thursford's electricity bill!
Thursford is living proof there is still room for the old-fashioned variety show, including the odd comic or two.  | | Lots of glitz and glamour |
They don't come much funnier in this part of the world than Keith Loads pursuing the slightly laid-back humour that Norfolk is known for. He had the audience in the palm of his hand. Keeping the sound of the organ running through the show is Phil Kelsall, resident at Thursford for the last 20 years. A mention too, for the percussionist Daniel Ellis who had an engaging presence on stage, apart from his talent as a musician.
Quite rightly, producer and director John Cushing knows he has a winning formula, and capitalises on that. With 1400 seats to fill each night, he's not going to make any sudden departures from what's gone before. Those who come, year after year, know they are experiencing something unique. The Thursford Christmas Spectacular runs from Saturday 13 November until Thursday 23 December, 2004. What did you think of the show? My husband and I think the show is absolutely fantastic. It brings a bit of fairyland to all of us. No smut; just sheer professionalism and enjoyment; lots of colour and happiness. It is the best part of the Christmas season
Mrs M Ann Ward We live in Swindon, but it is abundantly worthwhile to make the four-hour journey to Thursford each year. The show has almost the right balance and recognises what Christmas is really all about.
Maurice and Marilyn Rowlandson Mostly agree but there were not too many carols! Just how many light bulbs were there? Impossible to describe in all its glory - must be seen.
Ruth Lara fantastic i loved the dancers, i want to be like them when i grow up they up
laura hamilton I would agree with the review generally. What a magical show, our 2nd visit and certainly not our last. The spirit of Thursford is truly something special. More of Keith Loads please. Just one minor criticism, please don't make the girls costumes so scanty, its not necessary and not appropriate for such superb family entertainment. We'll be back!!
Lesley Sarton This is the 1st time I have been and I decided to take my 8 year old daughter (the minimum age). We both thoroughly enjoyed it but would have preferred a mix between the 2 halves, ie bit more dancing / light hearted stuff in the 2nd half as this was totally dominated by the carols. Will definitely make a return visit.
Sara Utting Our 18th visit. Gets better every year. Fantastic!
Trev&Steph Humphrey I certainly do - the show was fantastic! One of the best I have seen and on a par with West End shows. I particularly loved the big organ - it reminded me of Vincent Price's film The Abonable Dr.Phibes and didn't Phil Kelsall play it well ! I'll be there next year and with friends.Many thanks to the organisers for a great show !
Len Heinrich Agree with everything said, we think it is their best show among the many we have seen in the past
Den&Doreen Palmer Family 13 strong, all of us enjoyed it. The atmostphere was amazing, will definitely be there next year providing we can get tickets!
Ann Hewitt We started with a Coronation chicken plated salad picnic and a glass of wine in the car park, then proceeded to watch the most amazing Christmas show. Congratulations to everybody involved. No effort was spared.
Christopher Smith First visit, but surely not the last. Spectacular is the right adjective, not to mention professional in every way. "Thanks Thursford!"
Margaret and Peter Kemp Visited you last night. It was like going to Fairyland (I am 60!) Please don't alter the format, the carols were wonderful. We will be back!
Jane Moss I went to see the Thursford Spectacular and thought it was wonderful. As you say it was an experience not to be missed Also on the way home we went through a lovely little town called Holt. The Christmas decorations are as spectacular as the show. I know you are interested in different lights, well they are an absolute must. They put London to shame. Keep up the good work of the show, we always enjoy it, and may all of you have a very Happy Christmas.
B Taylor Christmas in every way magical and wonderful, just as it should be. Roll on next year.
david johnson This year was my 4th visit it was, as always,so beautiful and talanted, my Christmas always starts at Thursford. cant wait for next year!!!
Val Rummery I agree, another winner. The only thing that I found fault with was the scantily clad dancers in the 'Diamonds are a girls best Friend'sequence considering the christmas theme of the show. Regards W.E.Bradley.
Warwick Bradley I think that Keith Loads should have had more than one appearance, and also the fact that Phil Kensall played the mighty Wurlitzer throughout the whole show without a break. Truly the King of instruments!
Peter Salter Have been twice and it's magic from the time we arrived. Only got praise, no criticism. We will be back next year.
Ken Harriss saw the show last night, brilliant as usual. Unfortunatly the crammed seating caused discomfort to ourselves and many others. These comments, we heard in the interval when many stood to get some relief from the crammed conditions.
Graham Simmons Largely, but we enjoyed the carols. The show is great as it is
Allen Hall We travelled from Nottingham (30th November 2004) for this years show. Its the first one we have attended and must say spectacular is the right word, we will be back next year with our friends from Nottingham.
David Marriott Brilliant show. Wonderful to have the show ending with the Nativity the true meaning of Christmas.
Gladys Shaw My wife took me to the show last night; it was without doubt a spectacular mixture of light, colour, highly professional entertainment, and sentiment. It was great to hear the essential Christmas message presented, and there were NOT too many carols.
Michael Stedman Exellent show. Maybe,a little more of the comedienne and majic ?
B R Morton I cannot agree with Lyn when she says that there are too many carols - afterall, the show is a Christmas show and Christmas means carols. Has she forgotten the meaning of Christmas?
S.W.WATSON Absolutely Its amazing like walking into Christmas wonderland and the show is fantasic so much work has gone in to this spectacular show the cast are amazing it just gets better every year. and I love to see the family video. Well done.
Maureen Hills We came to the Christmas show on 19th Nov 04 and we haven't stopped talking about it! My son is inquiring tomorrow for seats as he and partner really want to see it having read our souvenir programme. We cannot wait for next years show, and will be along in the summer too. Absoloutly knockout!
Gladys Brown There were a group of us from work who attended the show on Sunday night and unlike the normal struggle to fill the seats they were all snapped up within days. The voices were enough to make you tingle especially the two boys who(with help) sung I Believe. A truly wonderful experience and I wouldn't fancy the electric bill either! Just brilliant.
Bev Payne Agree completely, particularly in respect of the carols.
R.W.Gunthorpe We have been going for over 20 years and the show this year was the best ever. We enjoyed the carols, our Christmas begins with Thursford. We hope the "mighty" organ's roll will not be diluted further in future years.
Mike & Val Durrant Yes totaly agree This year will be our 18th visit to the christmas show. I think that says it all.
trevor Humphrey The show was fantastic. I have trained one of the dancers in the show and was very proud it was amazing. Well done to all
Maxine Glasby Absolutely brilliant. It was my first visit and it won't be my last. Need I say more?
Francis Lambie | 
