As we prepare to celebrate our 21st Christmas Songbook at the stunning theatre The Everyman, we reflect on what makes this such a unique night for the people of Cork.
The thing we absolutely adore about Christmas is its familiarity, continuity and sameness – call it what you will. There is a comfort in that predictability.
The delicious aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon fill the house and the warm glow of candles dotted around the house ensure Christmas is never far from our thoughts. Michael Bublé and Andy Williams play on repeat in the living room while Mariah’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ and The Pogues’ ‘Fairy Tale of New York’ are the musical backdrop to every supermarket from 1 November onwards.
Christmas means turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasties, gravy and family – those who are gathered around us and those that are lovingly remembered in our hearts.
There is nothing like it!
This will be us again this Christmas.
We have shared so many incredible memories together on stage with the audience, our cherished extended family. The love we have for each other is tangible, and enduring. We have been through a lot together. There is magic in that synergy.
Our Christmas Songbook is always an epic affair, with 650 voices blended as one singing their way through the night and raising the ornate roof of this iconic theatre.
History repeating itself, year on year. Just like Christmas!
Singing out is so good for the soul. We see the impact of this at every concert. There is nowhere else, not a single concert anywhere in the city, where people will get the chance to sing along with every fibre of their being.
We are free. And we are celebrating. Together. There is no separation between us on stage and our wonderful audience. We are all in this together.
More than that, there is something about a Christmas concert that fills the heart with joy, while allowing the emotions to bubble to the surface too. Those emotions propel people through the foyer after the show, with hugs and kisses, and backward exuberant shouts of ‘Feliz Navidad’ as they skip out the door to the real world outside.
There may be a few tears mingled in with all that joy this year, as we think about those who aren’t with us. But we will feel immense gratitude for all the memories we did make together and the part of this great “journey of life” we shared.
And, as a family, we will read those lyrics on the giant screen and belt out the ultimate Christmas hit list of songs!
The Ultimate Christmas Show runs for one night only at The Everyman. Tickets are selling fast. Sunday 8 December, 7.30pm. tickets €31 from www.everymancork.com
