WHY do we hang stockings? When was the first Christmas tree? And why on earth does Santa climb down the chimney?
Find out the answers to these questions, and more, in the wonderful Christmas show The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus at The Haymarket, which runs from Wednesday, December 3 until Sunday, December 14.
Based on the book by L Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, this exciting story follows the early life of Santa Claus from being abandoned in the forest and adopted by wood-nymphs, through to making and delivering the first toys.
Meet reindeer Glossie and Flossie as well as the chilly rogue Jack Frost and find out the answer to lots of Christmas questions!
With original music and lots of audience participation, this is a wonderful seasonal show from Big Wooden Horse – the creators of the hit shows Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Night Before Christmas.
Credit: Stuart Slavicky
Using a simple set and engaging storytelling, the audience is asked to use the magic of imagination to turn these simple props into a sleigh, beautiful gifts and even a chimney.
The cast of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus includes Nick Ash, who appeared in Knight Time in The Exchange at The Haymarket at the beginning of October, for the special free events as part of the national Fun Palaces weekend.
Nick also played the part of the Mad Hatter in Alice In Wonderland recently for Basingstoke’s Proteus Theatre Company, for whom he is an associate artist.
Joining Nick are Andrew Pugsley and Rachel Fletcher-Hudson. Rachel is well known to Haymarket audiences as she played Eddie the Mouse in The Night Before Christmas in 2013.
Writer and director Adam Bampton-Smith has 15 years’ experience of performing, writing and directing work for children and has worked for some of the country’s finest companies in the field including Tall Stories, Unicorn Theatre and the New Victory Theatre on Broadway.
Adam said: “The show is lots of fun and there is plenty of opportunity to join in.
“Going to a live performance is in itself a valuable and unique experience, it is often the case that it is the first time younger children have been to see a show and if they are entertained they will continue to come to the theatre in adult life.”
Credit: Stuart Slavicky
Music and sound is created by Shock Productions who also produced the score for The Gruffalo stage production and the lyrics are written by LA-based Guy Picot who has previously worked on many West End productions including the recent Prisoner Cell Block H musical!
Costume and prop designer Anna Poland was a founder member of Polka Theatre and has worked throughout the theatre and television world including Dr Who and the original Monty Python TV series.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is 50 minutes long, with no interval, and is suitable for those aged three and over and their families.
Don’t miss this delightful, traditional show just perfect as a first introduction to the theatre.
The show runs in The Haymarket until December 14.
Box office: 01256 844244, anvilarts.org.uk
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