Raymond Briggs’ well-loved story of Father Christmas has been around for some time now so we might forget that when this graphic novel first appeared nearly 50 years ago it was moderately ground breaking. In place of a traditional fairy-tale style character Briggs’ Santa is a regular proletarian working man who enjoys his tea, dotes on his pets and needs the loo in the morning. This, of course, provides great material for a theatrical version and here it has been adapted for the stage by Pins and Needles Theatre company. The show has been a great success, running at the Lyric theatre for quite a few years. Here, co-produced by Tobacco Factory Theatres, it has been re-rehearsed and filmed for this special online edition. Just the thing for watching with the family during these dark and cold yuletide evenings.
Marcus Hendry is a rumbustious, rotund and nicely grumpy Santa Claus. He goes about his Christmas duties with a mixture of scorn and smiles, bringing fun and energy to the stage. Music, noises and effects are provided by the talented Stacey Ghent, who also adds dialogue as Mrs Christmas in some nice interchanges with Father Christmas. There is puppetry in the shape of a cheeky dog and a charming cat, skilfully done by Toby Manley and Peyvand Sadeghian. And there is music, songs and sound effects to keep the show bobbing along. It can’t have been an easy task to prepare this performance for an audience that is used to enjoying the live atmosphere of a theatre but there are some clever camera angles in this filmed and streamed version that complement the staging and give us something that we wouldn’t have in a live performance. Jack Offord is the director and editor who has made this a successful transition to film, whilst maintaining the ambiance of collective creativity that gives theatre its magic.
It’s telling that the online show is introduced from an empty auditorium by Mike Tweddle, artistic director at the Tobacco Factory. Theatres have largely been closed for the last 9 months and they need our support now more than ever if the world of live entertainment is to survive. Paying to watch this excellent show with your family will go a long way to helping see the theatre industry through these difficult times. The little one’s will love the show and the whole family can fill themselves with seasonal joy and spirit in the run up to Christmas. ★★★★★ Adrian Mantle 10th December 2020
