by Bonnie Collings
After dazzling audiences across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Pace Live Entertainment is bringing the magic of an Irish Christmas to the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Thursday December 7.
Produced and choregraphed by Australian Irish dancing champions Brent Pace and Ceili Moore, "A Celtic Christmas" by A Taste of Ireland will transport audiences to a land of song, dance and heart warming Christmas spirit.
Following the story of two lovers, "A Celtic Christmas" pairs world class dancing talent with award winning Irish musicians. Leading dancer, Brittany Pymm describes the show's storyline as something you can't help being immersed in.
"It's a Christmas show based on the love story between Seamus and Molly," Brittany said. "The show follows their journey, from when they meet, Molly's parents not approving of Seamus, him being sent away to America to improve himself and Molly travelling to America to reunite with him."
After joining the dance company in 2019, Brittany has worked her way through the dancing positions, performing as one of the lead dancers in the "A Celtic Christmas" show. She said the show featured elements audiences might not expect.
"The show has a lot of light and shade within the storyline, there's a lot of things in the show that you might not expect from an Irish dancing show," Britanny said.
"The show is also 100 per cent live, there's no tap track behind the dancing, all of the sounds are made live. There are microphones on the lead dancers' shoes and all around the stage, which is something quite different to other Irish dancing shows."
Filled with festive cheer and Irish charm, "A Celtic Christmas" has something for every audience.
"I think everybody will love the show, it's suitable for everyone," Brittany said.
"Young kids can enjoy some of the jokes and the Christmas elements like carols they might know, but there are things that will appeal to older people too. Everyone will pick up different things, there's really something for everyone."
Brittany said the nature of the show also will give a taste of home to an Irish audience.
"Anyone who is Irish or who has ties to Ireland, the show is such a taste of home," she said. "Australian Christmases are so different to Irish Christmases, so they show will take them back home for a moment."
Brittany said audiences can expect a night of laughs, but also to fall in love with the show's storyline.
"There's an Irish word we use to explain the show, "craic" which means fun or a good time, and that's really what the audience can expect," Brittany said.
"We have a lot of fun performing the show, there's a lot of interaction between the audience and the dancers and then also between the dancers on stage which is really fun. There's a lot of talent on stage with our world champion dancers and our musicians."
Having toured through Australia and internationally, Brittany said the company enjoy performing at regional stops.
"Not a lot of touring shows like this actually visit regional places, so when we do come, people are so appreciative and really enjoy it," Brittany said. "There is a want for productions like this to come to regional Australia and the feedback is always great, the audience really get into it."
Without giving too much away, Brittany said a highlight of the show is the reunion of Seamus and Molly.
"The highlight of the show is when the two leads reunite in America," Brittany said. "It's a really special moment in the show, everyone can sort of see it coming but you don't know if it's going to happen!"
"A Celtic Christmas" by a Taste of Ireland will perform at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Thursday December 7 at 7:30pm.
A variety of tickets are still available for purchase at https://sales.wgac.com.au/event/379:2334/379:3817.