With Christmas fast approaching and the country still in a state of coronavirus controls, meaning that many of the UK's theatres are still unable to open to the public, thinking outside the box and working in the medium of film and / or online streaming has been a necessary and potentially job-saving lifeline for many of us in the industry.
So, if the children can't come to a Christmas show, the Christmas show must go to them! And that's exactly what the folk at Pitlochry Festival Theatre have done. In November they created a magical wonderland within the grounds of their theatre and filmed a version of what will hopefully be a live theatrical experience for many (covid restrictions permitting).
Written by the theatre's Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman, with help from Russell Beard, this family-friendly, seasonal, and quite delighful film is based on a short play written by Newman and Amy Liptrott.
The story concerns two of Father Christmas's helper elves, Lari (Barbara Hockaday) and Hari (Ali Watt), who, whilst playing football with the North Star, have kicked her so hard (well, the reindeer did, actually, but anyway...) that she has gone into hiding in a black hole, and so they have to set off on an adventure to bring her back so that she is able to shine to guide Father Christmas's sleigh to deliver the presents. There is singing and dancing, and the story is simple but interesting, and both Hockaday and Watt are congenial performers who manage with seeming ease to engage their unseen audience in the story asking us for our help. On the way, they meet Mrs. Claus (Clare Grogan) who seems just a little dotty but is able to help, and finally they meet the man himself (Colin McCreadie) and of course, they all together, with our help of course, bring the North Star back and all ends happily with another song.
The star of this show though is the set. The theatre's set building team have brought their experience and creativity to bear by designing this outdoor wonderland which works so very well indeed. I loved all the doors, and the Fine Art Garden, as well as the lovely effect created by small mirror balls for Outer Space.
A delightful 25 minute theatrical experience which is pure Christmas magic for the youngsters who won't be able to visit Father Christmas or get to see a panto this year.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 14/12/20
No comments:
Post a Comment