THE MOST SPECTACULAR TIME OF YEAR…
What was once a humble carol service that began as a small attraction for local villagers to get together in rural Norfolk in 1977 is now largest Christmas show in the UK, attracting 5.8 million visitors, to date. Thursford Collection founder and Director John Cushing OBE and his two sons, Charlie is General Manager and now runs the day-to-day operations and management, and George is involved with John in producing the show and The Enchanted Journey of Light since it began in 2020 and oversees Marketing and Projects. As well as the family trio and the ever-present corporate and domestic support from John’s wife, Barbara, there’s a team of 24 heads of department and a cast of 150.
The team and heads of department work tirelessly from February onwards, planning and scheduling every element of the seven-week show, which this year begins on November 8th and runs until 23rd December. The show’s casting attracts applications from highly professional dancers, singers, musicians and variety acts from all over the world, and is as such hugely competitive, with some 600 applicants going through to the auditions in May and June and only the very best selected to take part.
The Spectacular is internationally and locally renowned for its all-dancing all-singing extravagant and fully sensational immersion into Christmas, but the acts are not entirely of the festive variety these days, with numbers from classic shows and variety performances that are suitable for any time. This year sees an astonishing bicycle act, clothes-swapping jugglers and a plethora of choreographic skills.
The Thursford Collection is a museum dedicated to the display of John’s father George’s beloved original collection of steam engines, fairground rides and organs, which all play their individual part in the Christmas show, signalling heritage and industry from a bygone era. In Santa’s Magical Journey there are animated elves, teddies and animals built on a giant scale that nod, wave and beckon from glittering cabins and steam engine chimneys which delight and amaze.
We talk to John and Charlie about life behind the scenes at Thursford’s Spectacular, family time at Christmas, and their favourite things about Norfolk.
With a cast of 150 singers, dancers, musicians and special acts it must mean a lot of preparation for the big event – is it true you begin planning in the spring and work all year round, and how do you keep the festive momentum up?
John:
I started this year’s show on January 13th in my study. I can’t read music or write it and can’t sing, but I produce the show entirely on listening to my vast collection of music. I have thousands of CDs here – old recordings off the radio, readings and musical arrangements, which I go through, and it evolves into the show’s production. It’s not easy coming in my office in the evenings of February and March to work on Christmas, but I find if I have the radio on somewhere it keeps me in the mood. When I come into my office at night and everyone’s gone, I just bury myself into Christmas.
We’ve got a guy on a bike this year, jugglers who will change clothes – our speciality acts are always changing, so I match music to their acts, backed by a 32-piece orchestra. As the show is live it’s got to be finished by May, because our casting director needs to look at the music and know what he’s looking for during the auditions. Nearly 2000 people usually apply, we pick about 600 to audition.
We’ve got the first team on sight now, next week the dancers come, then the singers and orchestra. Many of our orchestra players are from a pool in London of the best and are in the Royal Albert Hall, or in the Palladium and we’ve got professional dancers, singers and special acts from all over the world.
We use the Chapel over the road, and we have 3 or 4 rehearsal places that are in constant use, and they are all briefed and debriefed daily.
Charlie:
We probably only have two cast members that live in Norfolk, the rest will be coming from all over the UK and abroad and stay within a six-mile radius. It’s great for local rentals as at this time of year there’s not usually much call for the holiday rentals.
The show attracts people from all over the country and indeed across the world, what do you think (apart from the sheer size and scale) makes it stand above other shows of its kind?
Charlie:
I would say one of the key things that sets us apart is what we hear from our cast, who are away from home. Compared to any other job – whether a cruise liner or working in the West End, is the amazing sense of support and community they receive from the cast managers and the team. They arrive feeling anxious and leave feeling like family, a feeling which I think is reflected on stage. Everything you see onstage in performed live.
Often the building in which shows take place can feel quite bland, but here at Thursford from the moment you enter at the gates you’re surrounded by music, fantastic outside lights and when you go in you’ve got vintage fairground rides, mechanical organs, steam engines, the most incredible decorations you’ll ever see. Our lighting and sound are state of the art, we’ve just invested £700,000 in is what is hopefully one of the best permanent instillation systems in the country.
The sheer versatility of what you see on the stage means we’ve got every element available on the theatrical and circus spectrum. You don’t see that done on a regular basis, on such a professional level. We do Variety but we do it well and with a heart.
It’s also the way it’s produced – emotionally. One minute you’ll be crying with laughter, the next you’re tingling with goosebumps by the most amazing choral number. It’s not only from the performers onstage, but we put singers and dancers around the auditorium, so you’re in an immersive experience.
John:
To be successful in showbusiness you’ve got to be emotional. To make a good show you’ve got to be able to make people cry as much as laugh and we do that here. Cameron Mackintosh (Producer of West End hit Hamilton and many more) said ‘anyone who’s done Thursford is good enough for me.’ John remarks with a twinkle in eye.
Most memorable moments?
John:
There have been so many! It was a massive achievement when we converted all the farm buildings into shops and restaurants over 40 years ago and opened just before Christmas. Since then, the opening of Santa’s Magical Journey and the Light Show, set up in Covid. Extending the stage and extra seating – there have been so many thrilling occasions.
And would you say the audience demographic has expanded for the Spectacular?
Charlie:
Most definitely. Whilst we are show that still very much appeals to our core demographic of over 50s, we now attract anyone from 8 up to 100 and beyond! Young groups in their 20s and 30s will come in groups for a fun Friday night out and have the best time. As well as the classic Christmas stuff we all love, there’s also some funky modern numbers and spectacular adrenalin-fuelled special acts in there as well.
What does your family Christmas look like, after the show is done and you get time to relax?
Charlie:
On Christmas Eve we’re still here, because we have our last Enchanted Journey of Light, after which we rush back home just in time for our Christmas meal, with traditional turkey. Our mother is half-Dutch, and she lights every single candle in the house – Christmas Eve is the special day. We stay up late, we’re on a high from finishing the show. On Christmas Day we wake up late, have presents on the bed. Then later we go for late lunch at The Hoste in Burnham Market. We’re ready for some role reversal of hospitality by then, so we always enjoy that. During the festive break we sleep a lot, build Lego, mess around in the music studio, light the fire and play games and relax.
Charlie – 3 things you love about Norfolk?
Weekend walks on the coastal paths, lovely woods and beach walks with friends or alone with a podcast. I love a run on a frosty winter morning. Norfolk’s range of independent shops, suppliers and restaurants are something special and of course you’ve got to love the Norfolk accent!
Favourite pub?
We love The White Horse, Brancaster in summer, The Gunton Arms in the winter and of course The Brisley Bell.
What are you reading?
John:
Disney: The Dark Prince of Hollywood which is a good example of complete contradictions.
Charlie:
The Secret Barrister, The Secret of the Law and How it’s Broken.
If you had only £5 for a secret Santa present for one another what would you buy?
Charlie:
I’d like to see Pops in an Elf onesie from Primark!
John:
A wig for Charlie!
Charlie – do you see you the Spectacular remaining in the family for generations to come?
I’d love to think so! Both George and I are passionate about the different aspects we’re involved in, and I think the mixture of skills we bring to the table helps us work well together. I’ve always loved being around what Thursford is – when I was on school holidays, I’d help the groundsmen and in the kitchens. I’ve loved growing the wedding and events side of the business as well as Holly Lodge, both of which started since I came on board ten years ago.
John:
It’s every father’s wish that their children will follow in their footsteps. Succession is so important, and they’re clearly keen. I am trying to hand over as much as possible as quickly as possible!
Christmas Spectacular | Thursford | Norfolk | November – December
The Thursford Spectacular runs from November 8th – December 23rd shows are at 2pm and 7pm. Prices start at £43 and the show is for 8 years and over.
