Shot in the Summer of 2023, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas is reminiscent of the traditional Christmas Specials of the 1960s and 1970s: singing, dancing, special guests, comedy, and–of course–beautiful clothes!
Most American audiences will recognize Hannah Waddingham from her role as Rebecca Welton–the owner of a soccer team–in the comedy series Ted Lasso (2020–2023), But Waddingham is much more than a talented actress. In Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas she proves she’s a talented singer, too. Waddingham talks about going to the London Colosseum–the site of this extravaganza–as a little girl to listen to her mother, an opera singer, perform on its stage. Those experiences sent Hannah Waddingham into a career of acting and singing.
Because Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas was filmed live, it has the feel of a musical. Waddingham has duets with Leslie Odom Jr. (of Hamilton fame) and her friend, Luke Evans. Waddingham also has not just one, but TWO choirs–the English National Opera and the London Gay Men’s Choir–to amp up the Christmas carols. All in all, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas put me in the mood for the Holidays! GRADE: A
MUSICAL NUMBERS:
- What Christmas Means to Me. 03:13.
- The Man With The Bag. 03:00.
- Please Come Home For Christmas. Hannah Waddingham feat. Leslie Odom, Jr.
- O Holy Night. Hannah Waddingham feat. The ENO Chorus
- Run Rudolph Run. Hannah Waddingham feat. Sam Ryder
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Hannah Waddingham feat. Phil Dunster & The Fabulous Lounge Swingers
- Winter Wonderland. Hannah Waddingham feat. Luke Evans
- It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Hannah Waddingham feat. The London Gay Men’s Chorus
The London Gay Men’s Choir? Don’t tell our intolerant GOP overlords here in Texas. This looks like a pretty good show; I’ll have to catch it on our son-in-law’s Apple TV feed. For me, the best rendition of “O Holy Night” remains Michael Crawford’s from a 1993 David Foster arrangement.
Fred, I’ll have to check out Michael Crawford’s rendition of “O Holy Night.” I’m a big fan of David Foster, too!
No Apple +, no Ted Lasso, so never heard of her. And, to be honest, I wouldn’t watch it even if I had. I don’t watch Christmas “specials” at all.
Jeff, Hannah Waddinton mixes in “Holiday” music along with traditional Christmas carols. Like you, I’m not a big fan of Christmas specials, but this one really is special.
I’m with Jeff! Bah! Humbug!
She sang something on Ted Lasso that caught my attention. Apparently she’s opera-trained with a sizeable vocal range.
In Christmas #cancelculture news, apparently the campaign against Baby, It’s Cold Outside has had an effect. I’m not a Dean Martin fan, but I’ve not heard it at all this year. (hashtag aficionados claimed the song was ‘rapey’, a dog-whistle for rape culture. (There’s an oxymoron if ever I heard one.))
George, if you drop me an email, I have a followup to our SleuthSayers conversation.
Leigh, Hannah Waddington grew up in that opera house where her mother sang. I’ll drop you an email Right Now!