The British comedy legend O Christmas Tea was a definite crowd-pleaser, performed at the Sarnia Imperial Theatre this weekend with two shows on Saturday, November 16. The afternoon show sold out, leading to an additional evening performance.
As families of spectators found their seats, cheerful conversations filled the theater as people admired the stage, decorated with larger-than-life red ornaments and sparkling lights reminiscent of falling snow—leaving no doubt about the festive holiday theme about to unfold. Adding to the excitement, playbills handed out at the entrance included sing-along lyrics to The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. When the lights dimmed, the audience was immediately charmed by the cleverly crafted interactive elements.
The eccentric character Jamesy (played by Alastair Knowles) prepares for a Christmas tea party and anxiously awaits his friend’s arrival. But as he fusses over the teapot setup, a phone call distracts him. The audience roared with laughter as Jamesy struggled to juggle the call, oblivious to his friend James (played by Aaron Malkin) waiting at the door. The pantomimed chaos of Jamesy darting between the phone and the door created a comical highlight.
As the storyline progresses, Jamesy and James reveal their contrasting perspectives on reality. James, dressed in a suit, tie, and bowler hat, believes the audience is part of the real world, while Jamesy sees the audience as invisible and the stage’s imaginary features—like doors and windows—as entirely real. This playful dynamic invited the audience into a whimsical world of improvised interaction.
The tea party is soon interrupted by the sounds of a thunderstorm, complete with lightning and flooding. James and Jamesy rally to save the magical creatures of the audience by inviting them aboard an “imaginary boat.” Spectators enthusiastically joined in, playing characters like Captain Hook, First Mate, a Queen, and even a shark, with quick-attach costumes adding to the fun. Through comical gestures, puns, and playful dialogue, James and Jamesy ensured everyone was “rescued” before returning to their tea party.
As the performance ended, Jamesy and James promised to make the event a tradition, leaving the audience laughing and eager for its return.
O Christmas Tea continues touring across Ontario and parts of the United States until December 31.