This Christmas English Cabaret have prepared three, very different festive offerings for the season of giving: an original cast recording release, a selection of carols, songs and bakes to share and a reflective video. Read more below.

On Christmas Eve, on Songs Of The People YouTube Channel we are sharing a video inspired by Sergeant Casson’s WWII Scrapbook

At the end of 1942 Sue Casson’s father Sgt Sen Casson (Cass) celebrated Christmas as a prisoner of war in a camp close to Broumov, with the English Working Party 388 of Stalag VIIIb. He describes a heartwarming moment of humanity amid the brutality of war.

In 1921 English Cabaret presented the story of that Christmas as related in his journal at St Lukes in Sevenoaks, weaving it with Christmas songs. This recording is the soundtrack to his original sketches and drawings from the scrapbook alongside his collection of cards and cuttings.

Available on Songs of the People YouTube Channel

On Boxing Day Lily begins an odyssey of songs and baking on Lily Casson's Instagram and YouTube for the 12 Days of Christmas - I Heart Christmas

After her EdFringe success this summer with I Heart Musicals, Lily presents I Heart Christmas - a collection of memorable melodies to warm your heart. With an added tasty bonus from her alter-ego, English Singing Baker, who returns to the kitchen with her 12 bakes of Christmas sharing the recipes that bring her the most joy.

Over the 12 days of Christmas Lily will make the festive season sparkle with a song and a bake a day on her social media platforms.

Social media links available via the Linktree

Also on Boxing Day the release of an original cast recording, first available in 1993 on the Dress Circle label - The Happy Prince (1992 Cast Recording)

For the first time in a decade this original cast recording of Sue Casson’s The Happy Prince featuring John Barr and Mina Anwar as the Prince and the Swallow, with John Warnaby and Sue Casson as the storytellers Chorus and Pandora, will be available to stream on all principal platforms. Featuring Chris Brannick's magical arrangements for chamber quartet the show opened at Oxford's Old Fire Station at Easter 1993.

Available here

Happy Christmas from all at English Cabaret!