Immersive Dickensian Dining With A One-Man Performance: The Great Christmas Feast London Review

A Christmas Carol is one of my favourite festive tales, and it seems like I end up watch a version of it most years. But that tradition came round a little earlier this year, when I was lucky enough to attend one of two opening nights of The Great Christmas Feast: the immersive experience at The Lost Estate in West Kensington.

DesignMyNight Reviews The Great Christmas Feast

As soon as we stepped into the venue, we knew we were in for something special. Tucked down a quiet, unassuming street, The Lost Estate Theatre is a sophisticated spot that had been filled with intricate details that transported us back to the Victorian era - from a four-poster bed to Dicken's writing desk. There was a main stage in the centre of the room, which we were lucky enough to be seated right in front of, though there were also several mini stages in each section in between tables, truly immersing the audience in the show.

The Great Christmas Feast London reviews all praise Alex Phelps' one-man performance.

We had some time to soak in the atmosphere of the room, and we each ordered a glass of Champagne during this hour. Then it was time for the extraordinary one-man show to start, performed by the incredibly talented Alex Phelps. We all know the tale of Scrooge and the three spirits, but he brought it to life in a whole new way, beginning as Charles Dickens explaining the concept of his novel, before seamlessly switching between the main characters through a three-hour play.

He was accompanied by three amazing classical musicians, who added tension to the tale at all the crucial parts. Phelps engaged the audience throughout, singling out certain people in the crowd and getting everyone up on their feet during a dancing scene. Members of the audience were also picked out to play characters like Tiny Tim at a few points, adding a hilariously comedic element to the otherwise flawless acting.

The story was split into three acts, with a course of the Victorian-inspired meal served after each one. I sampled their vegetarian menu, while my friend opted for the meatier version, so we got a chance to try every single one of the fantastic dishes on offer. Of course, we had to try some cocktails too, the first being a fruity, gin-based Pear Tree Cup, and the second a ruby port and pinot noir blend - the Smoking Bishop.

The Great Christmas Feast London menu was just as well thought-out as the show.

Our starters were a ham hock terrine and a spiced beets alternative, with thin, crisp layers topped off by samphire, pickled beets, chutney and pickles. Mine also came with a creamy goat's curd that added a pleasantly tangy element to the plate. These were accompanied by a selection of freshly baked bread with truffle and sea salt butter.

Next, I was served a Devon Tart filled with potato, braised leek, confit onion and roasted squash, drizzled in a creamy cheese sauce. The meat option consisted of a confit Gressingham duck leg served with mulled cabbage and an orange jus, and both came with thyme and confit garlic roast potatoes.

Lasty, we both enjoyed a twelth night cake, a rich treat served with plum pudding ice cream and pouring cream. There was certainly nothing lacking in the food department, which can sometimes be the case at an entertainment-focused event, and we couldn't fault the service at all - it was very speedy between acts.

The Great Christmas Feast: Overall

I went into this immersive experience not knowing what to expect, and I was absolutely blown away by both the impeccable service and the sheer talent of Alex Phelps, who managed to engage an entire room full of people for three hours with his one-man performance. The Great Christmas Feast menu was equally impressive, making you feel as though you were dining in Victorian times with its three hearty courses. Overall, I would highly recommend this event for the festive season.

Interested in this immersive event? Then grab The Great Christmas feast 2024 tickets right now.