Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced a wonder-filled, outdoor Christmas experience along with a filmed performance of L. Frank Baum's much-loved Christmas tale The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, made in partnership with Stirling's Macrobert Arts Centre.
Adapted from the wonderfully inventive mind of award-winning poet and playwright Hannah Lavery (Jekyll and Hyde, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Lament for Sheku Bayoh, co-production with the Royal Lyceum Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, and Edinburgh International Festival) and presented in the beautiful grounds of the Perthshire theatre, the outdoor Christmas installation experience runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 1-23 December.
It is Christmas Eve, and while most children are asleep, Alice has an idea to catch Santa Claus. Instead, she accidentally traps a Fairy in her bedroom who proceeds to tell Alice how Santa Claus came to be. There begins an incredible journey that takes us into the magical world of Wood Nymphs, Knooks, and Ryls, from the Forest of Burzee to the Laughing Valley and beyond. This is a Christmas story for the ages, for all ages.
As well as being a safe, socially distanced and relaxed outdoor Christmas installation experience with the chance to meet Santa Claus, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus in a theatrical film that audiences will be able to enjoy in the theatre's outdoor amphitheatre in its picturesque gardens. All ticket bookers will also be sent a link to watch the magical tale in the warmth and safety of their homes during the Christmas season as well. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus will also be shown on the big screen at the Macrobert Arts Centre on selected dates between 4-24 December.
The cast will feature Michael Cooke (The Princess Switch: Switched Again, Now You See Me 2, Outlander, Father Brown) as Claus; Rosa Lavery as Alice; Lisa Livingstone (Vigil, Trust Me and The Farm, and The Loch) as Necille/Alice’s Mum; Jane McCarry (Isa Drennan in Still Game, Granny Murray in Me Too! and most recently Wind in the Willows at Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Great Ack; Fiona Wood (Blonde Bombshells and The Crucible, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Fairy; and Marco Young (My Cousin Rachel, Bath Theatre Royal and UK tour) as Knook/Reindeer.
Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre shares that the experience is "a funny, moving, and fresh new adaptation for audiences to enjoy in Pitlochry and Stirling. As we continue to experience challenges due to Covid, it has felt important to offer a magical socially distanced outdoor experience this year again which will include a grotto where the audience will meet Santa and our amphitheatre will be transformed into a woodland cinema... The story itself reminds us of the importance of love and kindness and why everyone continues to cherish this time of year. A pretty perfect story for right now it feels.”
Suitable for everyone, from babes-in-arms to the forever young-at-heart, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus promises to be a seasonal treat, brimming with story, music, and surprises!
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus runs from 1-23 December. For information and tickets for The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com and www.Macrobertartscentre.org
From £10 per person - off peak – 1/2/8/9/15-16 December
From £12 per person – peak – 3-5/10-12/17-23
From £13 per person – 4 & 11 December at 4pm
£2 per person discount for four or more in one booking
Festival Friends receive a 10% discount and Festival Circle and above receive a 15% discount.
As well as booking a promenade experience all bookers will receive the live performance movie for the whole family to enjoy at home, on your TV or other device, as many times as you want.
For tickets visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Macrobert Arts Centre – Film screenings
Dates: 4, 5, 11,12 and 17 to 24 December inclusive at various times.
Ticket prices: You Choose: £4.50 / £6.50 / £8.50
For tickets and further info visit https://Macrobertartscentre.org/event/the-life-and-adventures-of-santa-clause/