It was a night of a thousand stars as surrounded by fairy lights and cradling candles, five choirs, an orchestra made up of musicians from across the region, and a brace of TV celebrities gathered on stage of the Holroyd Community Theatre for its inaugural performances.
With the external building work now complete, thanks to Oswestry based Jones Brothers, the Holroyd Community Theatre is nearing completion. The full technical and lighting rig has still to be installed but with the impressive foyer and wonderful auditorium complete, the ‘Christmas at the Holroyd’ event was a chance to unwrap this magnificent community gift.
The acclaimed Dyffryn Ceiriog Male Voice Choir were joined by choirs from Selattyn Primary School, St Martins Primary School, Moreton First, The Stables Choir and the Face2Face Performance Academy. The evening was hosted by Coronation Street stars Ian Bartholomew and Ian Puleston Davies who both performed laughter inducing Christmas extracts. Mulled wine and mince pies added to the occasion and the announcement of the winners of the Holroyd Poetry Competition; 9 year old Isabelle, St Martins School and 10 year old Hugo, Selattyn Primary School, topped the celebrations.
Produced by acclaimed Theatre Director and Artistic Director of the Holroyd, Loveday Ingram, ‘Christmas at The Holroyd’ was a magical evening and for the community it was built to serve, a wonderful first opportunity to enjoy their wonderful new performance space.
The evening was summed up but St Martin’s parent and daughter Vicki and Lyla Evans. For Vicki “It was a truly magical evening of collaboration. It felt like something really special happened, with the community working together for the good of everyone: the true spirit of Christmas.”
Lyla added, “It felt incredible because there were over 90 people and I felt lucky to be one of them. Singing with all those people was an amazing moment and I’ll never forget it!”
Pictured – Foreground left to right –Ian Puleston Davies, Loveday Ingram, Ian Bartholomew
