The minds behind the magic of Thursford
As the festive season approaches and rehearsals for Thursford Christmas Spectacular begin, we step behind the scenes in an exclusive interview with the family whose vision has made it one of the world’s most dazzling seasonal shows…
Now in it’s 48th year, the Thursford Christmas Spectacular is one of the greatest festive shows of all time, consistently captivating audiences with an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. Following a backstage discussion with founder John Cushing and his son George Cushing, Associate Producer, we’re delighted to share a rare glimpse into the story, scale and sparkle behind the show’s enduring success.
How did the Thursford Christmas Spectacular begin?
John: It all started in 1977, the Sunday before Christmas. I decided to hold a carol concert in one of the old farm barns where my father’s collection of historic steam engines, organs and fairground rides was displayed. It was simply a way to bring people together and attract seasonal visitors to the museum.
We already had some fine organs and my friend in Cambridge arranged for the King’s College Scholars to perform, which was quite a coup for Norfolk at the time! 450-500 people came and enjoyed it so much I did it again the next year. The performances grew in scale and popularity, and by the fourth year, we decided to go professional.
How popular is the show now?
George: It’s incredible how the show has grown since it became a ticketed and choreographed production. It’s now the biggest Christmas performance of its kind in Europe and draws between 100,000 and 110,000 visitors each year from across the UK and beyond.
When you include our other festive attractions like Santa’s Magical Journey and the Enchanted Journey of Light, our annual visitor numbers climb to over 160,000. That’s phenomenal for an eight-week season!
How does it feel to have won the ‘Best Christmas Experience’ award for the second year running?
John: We work hard to create a magical and memorable experience for our visitors each year, so the fact this is a national award voted for by the public feels very special. It’s a reflection of our audience’s love and loyalty, which touches the whole team.
George: It’s a tremendous achievement, especially considering who we were up against. Thursford came above prestigious competitors like Kew Gardens, Blenheim Palace and Holkham Hall. It’s a reflection of how unique our attraction is.
What else makes the Thursford Christmas Spectacular unique?
John: The show is truly one-of-a-kind; you’ll never find anything else like it! With a cast of 150, a 32- piece orchestra and a 130ft stage, it’s one of the biggest live theatre spectacles you can enjoy today – right in the heart of rural Norfolk!
George: The scale is staggering and people are amazed by the numbers involved. For example, each performance features over 3,240 costume items. The dancers’ outfits alone include more than 100,000 rhinestones and 1,000 feathers, all handmade by our in-house costume team.
It’s incredibly rewarding to have built such an acclaimed reputation in the industry.
How long does it take to put the show together?
John: What you see on stage is a year’s work. I start planning around the 13th of January, listening to the many hundreds of Christmas CDs in my collection to spark ideas. Discussions with the team follow to brainstorm staging, effects and musical direction then a meeting takes place in April to produce a proof of the show content.
George: This sets the stage for choreography, casting and design. Auditions are held in London in June and July, costumes are crafted through summer and rehearsals begin in September - six weeks, six days a week. Everything comes together during dress rehearsals in late October and the show opens in early November. Just weeks after the curtain falls, we start all over again.
How do you select the cast?
John: Our auditions are among the biggest to take place in London, held at Pineapple Studios. We receive hundreds of applications and work hard to find the finest talent. This year, we auditioned over 500 dancers for just 23 positions and over 600 singers for 58 roles. It happens in stages, with routines made more challenging and numbers narrowed down until we are confident we have the very best.
George: Attitude is just as important as ability. We want performers who shine both onstage and backstage as having the right personalities is key for boosting morale and company spirit.
Are you proud of how the show’s reputation has grown?
John: It’s incredibly rewarding to have built such an acclaimed reputation in the industry. I could walk into almost any West End show and find former Thursford cast members. One performer told me he auditioned for Broadway in New York, and when scanning through his list of past work, the casting director was impressed he’d done Thursford. The great theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh once said, “If you’re good enough for Thursford, you’re good enough for me.” That kind of recognition is extraordinary.
What are the most exciting and challenging parts of the process?
JOHN: I love rehearsals – witnessing a scene come to life for the first time is thrilling. Seeing the cast perform well and watching my vision unfold is a magical moment.
George: A challenging part of the process is bringing all the separate elements together. There are so many different specialisms including singing, dancing, music, lighting,
sound, choreography and costume. Everyone works hard on their area and tries to make it the best – it is quite an art to balance everything so that it all flows seamlessly.
What do you want audiences to feel during the show?
John: We want to provide that immersive feeling of escapism by encouraging people to sit back, relax and leave their worries at the door. Good entertainment embraces every emotion, so I want to see audiences laughing out loud, dabbing away tears and beaming from ear to ear. Watching smiles light up people’s faces is the best reward.
How does it feel to work on the show as a family?
John: I’m overjoyed my sons are committed to taking the reins and securing the succession of what I’ve created; it’s all any father could wish for. Charlie ensures the site runs smoothly as General Manager, while George brings fresh ideas as Associate Producer and Project Manager. They’ve helped evolve an attraction very close to my heart and it’s a privilege to work alongside them. This show has been a huge part of my life for almost half a century, and I knowthey’ll carry the legacy forward with passion and pride.
George: Charlie and I love making our dad proud and enjoy working together to create memorable experiences for other families. Thursford is in our blood and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
How do you feel when the season begins and ends?
George: Opening night brings a mix of excitement, anticipation and nerves. You wonder if the audience will respond to what you’ve created, but seeing a year’s worth of work come to life is exhilarating.
John: When the final curtain falls, I feel a surge of elation and emotion. There’s delight in what we’ve achieved, but also sadness as it’s all over. We come together in a big bear hug as the audience rises for that final applause. It’s both joyful and touching as we all realise it’s a moment in time that will never be repeated. Every Spectacular is unique and the cast and crew form strong bonds, so when the show ends, it feels like a family moving on.
What can we expect from the 2025 Spectacular?
George: This year’s Spectacular is packed with excitement. It features two lively showgirl ‘feathers’ routines instead of one, which we’ve never done before. There’s also the extra investment in costumes, exciting new lighting and design ideas, a great mix of music and even a speciality act coming all the way from Vegas. What’s more, we’ve enhanced the overall Thursford experience, with festive upgrades to our recently-opened 30,000 sq. ft adventure play park and new lanterns added to The Enchanted Journey of Light.
John: We keep the show fresh and exciting with new songs, routines, visual effects and speciality acts - and 2025 is set to be our most magical year yet. Thursford is like an old-school variety show on a grand scale, with world-class performers, cutting-edge technology and all the thrills of live theatre. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or continuing a cherished tradition, you’ll leave with a smile on your face and a heart full of festive spirit.
Running from 8th November to 23rd December, the 2025 Thursford Christmas Spectacular promises another unforgettable celebration of seasonal spirit. Visit www.thursford.com to secure your tickets and prepare to be blown away…
