Grown-ups might find themselves thinking of The Fast Show’s Jazz Club character while watching this festive musical performance at Banbury’s Mill Arts Centre.

Aimed at the over-threes, it tells the tale of Rudy the reindeer (Stewart McCheyne), who arrives at the North Pole to try to make the grade when it comes to pulling Santa’s sleigh, under the tutorage of Hoo the Owl (Wendy Paver). Except he becomes distracted by the Jazz Penguin (Jack Benjamin).

Unruly Rudy finds himself on a Jazz Odyssey, encountering many other animals on the way to musical enlightenment. He’s told he will only be able to experience the Northern Lights once he has ‘got’ the Jazz.

There’s a meeting with Fitz the Fox (also played by Paver) who speaks and sings in scat, who starts Rudy’s education — and that of the audience.

We then meet a glum Polar Bear (Benjamin again), who gives Rudy a lesson in singing the blues, plus an environmental heads-up about the melting ice at his home.

There’s an anarchic diversion, thanks to some noisy puffins, before a memorable encounter with jazz dame Nina, a grand walrus also played by Paver.

The role shows off her excellent voice, and really gets the crowd singing along.

The Ballad of Rudy is great fun for the youngsters, who joined in with the crowd participation with glee, although it might not hold the attention of the over-fives. However, at just an hour in length, it’s an ideal introduction to the theatre.

The cast of three work hard and enthusiastically to portray the line-up of characters, and they show their talents and versatility with instruments and puppetry as well as singing and acting.

We finish off this charming production with Rudy, Hoo and the Jazz Penguin putting on a final gig. Does Rudy get to pull the sleigh and see the Northern Lights? Well, I’m not giving that away. All I’ll say is that, in the words of Jazz Club, it’s all... Nice.

The Ballad of Rudy
The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
Until December 31
Call 01295 279002 or visit themillartscentre.co.uk

Marc Evans