Family audiences invited into A Town Called Christmas
Puppetry, original music and a brave young heroine lead Wrongsemble’s new family show through Stockton and Newcastle this December
Children across the North East are being treated to a dose of “pure delight, escapism and twinkly festive magic” this month as A Town Called Christmas brings its uplifting story to two of the region’s stages.
The Wrongsemble and Red Ladder production is currently charming audiences at ARC Stockton as part of its UK winter tour, before it heads to Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle from December 19-21.
For writer and co-director Elvi Piper, the show springs from a deep-rooted love of festive theatre. She vividly remembers being “completely transported” during a Bobby Davro panto on a primary school trip.
“The sparkly costumes, the cheeky jokes, the huge dance numbers, the puppets, and what (to me) felt like real magic happening before my eyes completely swept me up,” she says.
Those memories underpin the world she has created for A Town Called Christmas - a warm, musical adventure for audiences aged three and up, designed to ignite imaginations in exactly the way hers was all those years ago.
Written by Elvi and co-directed with Richard Priestley, the show blends original music, puppetry and gentle humour in a 45-minute story crafted specifically for young children and their grown-ups to enjoy together.
The show follows Clementine, “a young dreamer who discovers a once-magical town that has lost its festive spirit”.
With help from a cantankerous caretaker and a malfunctioning robot, she sets out “to bring joy and warmth back to the community.” It’s a quest filled with surprises, songs and theatrical invention - and one that turns a simple tale about believing in magic into something bigger, warmer and more resonant.
Elvi has spent her career creating theatre for children and families, but Christmas brings its own unique challenges and opportunities. “For me, it’s all about heart, humour, and a sense of wonder,” she said. “Audiences of all ages need clear, joyful storytelling, playful characters, and music they’ll be singing all the way home.”
She adds that the stakes feel higher at this time of year. “For many children it might be the first time they experience theatre, or the one time of year the whole family attends as a group, so it has to feel special, welcoming, and truly memorable.”
Every choice in the rehearsal room supports that goal. “I focused on making the world of A Town Called Christmas feel rich and surprising,” she explains. “For little ones, that means visual delight, rhythm, repetition they can follow, and plenty of puppetry and silly jokes. For adults, it’s about wit, layered storytelling, great songs, and a genuine sense of jeopardy that keeps the stakes feeling real.”
With original music by Bay Bryan and Claire O’Connor and a cast of three bringing the story to life, the production promises a joyful atmosphere that is equally welcoming for theatre newcomers and seasoned family audiences.
Elvi is conscious of how Christmas theatre often becomes part of a family’s traditions. “There’s an extra layer of anticipation, because families arrive ready for something festive and sparkling,” she says. “We know how vital it is to make these shows truly memorable, because those Christmas theatre memories can last a lifetime and often become part of a family’s shared celebrations.
“We always think about how moments in the show might become those ‘remember when…’ memories families take with them year after year.”
A Town Called Christmas is currently running at ARC, Stockton until December 13 and will be at Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle from December 19-21.