Christmas takes over village again for 49th show

Tens of thousands of people from across the UK are about to descend on a rural village for a Christmas event now in its 49th year.

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular was first held in 1977 and it has grown into a show seen by an estimated six million people since it began.

The variety show, which features singing, dancing, music and comedy, has a cast of about 140 and employs hundreds of others behind the scenes.

A record 17 different nationalities are taking part this year, and organisers estimated the Norfolk show brought in between £10m and £15m to the local economy.

There will be two three-hour shows every day between 10 November and 23 December.

Organisers say it costs almost £5m to stage each year.

Fewer than 200 people live in the village, but at Christmas, coachloads of visitors descend, with about 110,000 tickets on sale every year.

Taleisha-Denae James, from Sydney in Australia, has been living and working in Europe for four years.

Speaking at the final dress rehearsal the day before opening, the 27-year-old said having the job felt like "such an achievement" because so many dancers auditioned.

"It is such a wonderful job to do, especially as a dancer."

Usually working in big cities, she said Thursford was "like a break - it's lovely to wake up and see trees for once".

Dancer Avalon Murfet, 29, who also works on cruise ships, has performed in the show for four years.

Speaking about the first night, she said: "It's just magical, it's so special.

"Oh my goodness, if we could bottle that feeling and sell it, I feel like we'd be very rich people."

Although performers came from across the globe, Murfet said she was "super lucky".

"I literally live about 25 minutes away, so this is the dream job and I get to go home to my bed every night - there's nothing like home, is there?"

Colin Window, cast and company manager, said about 800 vocalists had applied, along with 1,200 dancers.

About 50% of those were returning performers.

"When it comes together, and you start to feel the family build - and we do talk about family, we are a family - it's deeply rewarding," he said.

George Cushing, the show's associate producer, said about 400 people were employed on site during the show's run, including an orchestra.

"It's all completely live, which is a very rare thing these days in the theatre industry," he said.

Money had been invested this year into new lighting and some "spectacular" costumes, Cushing said.

New this year would be a 1970s medley, which he said was a nod to the show's roots and "sort of makes you want to get out of your seat and dance".

He said the show was "an escape from everything going on in this world".

"Turn off your phones and just get immersed in Thursford," he finished.

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