Good Theater, Bad Review

I was most pleased that theater critic Jan Herman apparently enjoyed “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” However, I do take exception to his labeling it an adult’s Christmas in Wales as well as with his assessment that this was “not really intended for the kiddies.”

On Sunday, Dec. 1, I was in the audience with my daughter and two grandchildren, ages 8 and 5. Three generations of us watched as a Welsh family celebrate a Christmas Day in much the same manner as we do, the traditional turkey dinner attended by aunts, uncles and cousins. Dylan Thomas’ beautiful words all painted a portrait of an occasion filled with warmth, love and the acceptance of family and their various personality quirks and differences.

At the end, my 5-year-old granddaughter, while applauding with the rest of the audience, turned to me and said: “That was the first play I’ve ever seen. I loved it!” (By the way, it wasn’t the first play she’d ever seen; we have a longstanding family tradition of attending Christmas productions).

Perhaps Mr. Herman should have seen this play with a child at his side, as did many of us in the audience. Then he might have realized what a great family story it really is.

VI SMITH, Santa Ana