We visited Thursford Christmas Spectacular and found a spell-binding spectacle of non-stop singing, dancing, music, comedy and speciality acts

Hidden in the Norfolk countryside is a magical place which attracts visitors from all over the UK each festive season.

Long I have heard its name whispered in revered tones, but until now I had never visited.

I am talking about Thursford, which is not only home to a steam engine museum but its famous Christmas Spectacular, which was first performed in 1977.

The Christmas Spectacular is one of Europe’s biggest festive shows and promises a spell-binding spectacle of non-stop singing, dancing, music, comedy and speciality acts.

With a cast of more than 120 performers on a 130ft stage, the Christmas Spectacular has become one of Europe’s biggest Christmas shows.

And so, for this year’s opening weekend, I headed over the border from Suffolk with my husband and daughter to see what all the fuss is about.

As first-timers, nothing can prepare you for what’s in store.

We were welcomed by well-planned parking arrangements and a short walk into the complex, which is adorned in thousands of colourful glittering fairy lights. With restaurants, a café, toy shop, Christmas shop, gift shop, sweet shop (and more shops we didn’t make it into) and plenty of toilet facilities, Thursford knows what to do to make a great experience for visitors – and does it well.

My daughter Clara was in a frenzy of wanting to peer in all the shops (we left with a colourful branded stuffed dog) while I was keen to get a bite to eat before settling in for the show.

With hunger needs addressed at one of the on-site restaurants we made our way into the large auditorium to find out seats in plenty of time for the afternoon performance.

I have never seen a theatre like it. Everywhere you looked, you saw ‘Christmas’. From gallopers horses hanging from the ceilings to Santas climbing into the air, looking right and I saw decorated trees, looking left I spotted a vintage fairground carousel (later used in the show).

Although we were seated a good 15 minutes before showtime, I was still peering around the auditorium in wonder when bagpipers strode down the aisles playing Jingle Bells to open the Spectacular.

Atmospheric singing then set the scene before the show kicked off in style, with dancers coming on stage in full cabaret costumes, complete with feather headdresses and beaded bikinis.

Compere Lloyd Hollett had me belly laughing with his inoffensive brand of comedy, perfectly pitched to the show and audience.

And when Phil Kelsall, on wurlitzer/organ, took centre stage my jaw visibly dropped. Large screens dropped down so we could clearly see live footage of his hands and feet flying over the keys and pedals.

Regulars at Thursford will be familiar with Phil as he has is now in his 44th season, but it was all new to me. How he didn’t break a sweat, I do not know.

Act one also saw us treated to thrilling acrobatics from the Togni Brothers and mountain bike tricks from trials riders Danny and Ashley Butler. I particularly enjoyed diabolo artist Rody Olivares, from Chile,.

Meanwhile, the dance routines were an utter delight, including a beautifully choreographed and skillfully executed ‘Ship Ahoy’ number, charming staging of ‘Getting to Know You’, crowd-pleasing Irish dancing, kooky rag dolls and the unforgettable sight of a line up of penguins flapping and stepping in time.

During the interval we enjoyed delicious mulled wine and a mince pie (priced at a very reasonable £6.50), and show producer and director John Cushing OBE told me he started work on this year’s extravaganza back on January 13.

Act two brought a wonderful display of contortion and gymnastics performed by Duo Merger, Ukrainians Anna Biseva and Sofiia Soloviova, set to the evocative notes of ‘Send in the Clowns’.

Lloyd Hollett returned with a brilliant ‘back to front’ version of Oliver Twist which needs to be heard to be believed. My eight-year-old daughter was swept along for the ride and squealed with delight at the humour.

Other wonderful numbers included a colourful can can and the fantastic musical Scrooge song ‘Thank You Very Much’, which were both greeted with wild applause

Finally, the ‘magical medley of carols’ which closed the show grew to a crescendo and – as billed – was truly magical.

When the singing reached its peak doves flew across the theatre, a touch which not only brought a tear to my eye but actually left me choked with emotion.

After leaving the auditorium we headed over to take a look inside Thursford’s Fantasy Land building, which takes you on a walking journey to the North Pole, past animatronic penguins and polar bears to giant-sized teddy bears and scores of elves busy at work preparaing Santa’s sleigh.

Then, we headed outside into the darkness for the Enchanted Journey of Light, with stunning illuminated sights including soldiers, Africa’s big five, underwater scenes, the land of sweets and the frozen North Pole.

With illuminated seesaws, swings and drums, there was an interactive element to the trail, alongside fitting music and sounds along the route.

Being a family of festive illuminations fans, Thursford’s offering was new and different for us.

Later this month it will be joined by funfair rides and attractions to enjoy at the end. But for us, the lights trail was more than enough to enjoy. In fact, it was a fitting end to an unexpectedly brilliant full day of festive fun.

I was warned our first Thursford visit would not be our last. Initially I was sceptical, but can now hand on heart say it will 100 per cent be our new family festive tradition.

From start to finish, it was the most wonderful experience. I wholeheartedly recommend it for all ages.

And Suffolk readers might ask: Is it worth the drive into Norfolk? The answer is yes. Our journey back to Bury St Edmunds took just 75 minutes. Given visitors travel to Thursford from all over the UK, I think we are quite lucky to have it in our neighbouring county.

Thursford festive factfile:

• Auditions are held in July when, from just under 3,000 applications, 23 dancers, 58 singers and the orchestra are cast
• There are 12 different nationalities in this year’s 120-strong cast
• Rehearsals start in late September
• The show effectively operates two orchestras – 60 musicians – to allow some schedule flexibility
• There are 58 singers, who each have to learn multiple parts in each piece
• There are 78 shows this festive season. The stage is 130ft wide, while the auditorium seats just over 1,400 people
• The performance includes 30 items, containing 67 pieces of music (about two hours and 20 minutes of music in total)
• Each piece in the show is written specially for the 32-piece orchestra. More than 1,500 copies of music are produced for the musicians alone

Christmas Spectacular tickets are limited so advance booking is advised – the show runs until December 23.