Review: The Night Before Christmas - The Lowry, Salford By Teresa McMahon (and Catherine Scanlan, age 8)
SalfordOnline.com Rating: 5 out of 5
Originally the creation of actor and director, John Hester, The Night Before Christmas truly encapsulates all that is magical and joyous about this time of year.
If, like me, you find yourself dreading the prospect of traipsing around visiting relatives you don’t know (or like), spending all your money on presents just to get a Boots’ 3 for 2 in return, and accidentally standing on rather selfishly discarded Moshi Monsters, then this delightful little show will remind you of the mystery and wonder that surrounds this time of year.
There was lots of friendly staff on hand to gather us all together before we were led to The Studio: an utterly charming little theatre; absolutely perfect for intimate, child-friendly shows like this one.
The set was the inside of a cute grotto; a warm fire with a picture of Rudolph hanging above the mantle, a toy-making machine, and warm cosy lighting. Just as we’d imagine the big fella’s place would look on the inside.
The naughty elf springs from the back of the theatre and runs down the central stairway, surprising all the little ones. She then ‘accidentally’ wets us all with a water gun before Father Christmas himself appears in a puff of smoke to a happy applause of familiarity.
The show takes us on a journey of songs, poems and lots of interactive audience participation. They had us mums and dads singing along and doing all the actions and coped admirably with the very young guests.
The show only lasts about half an hour. After that the kids get to meet Father Christmas personally and even get a present, so it’s ridiculously good value. There’s no conveyer belt nonsense here. Oh no! FC spends a good few minutes with each child and he’s confident and really realistic. He also lets you take photos, with his mischievous elf at his side cracking jokes.
All in all, the whole thing’s about an hour long. I’ve paid for Catherine to see Father Christmas every year and this is by far the absolute best one she’s ever seen.
The elf were a great actress; confident and funny, and all the staff were lovely and helpful throughout.
If you’ve got kids under the age of 8, take them to see this. It’s too good to miss, a proper visit to Father Christmas.
My daughter Catherine enjoyed it so much that she wanted to write her own little review about it: “My favourite part was when the naughty elf sprayed us with water. My mummy was singing the songs really loud which was very embarrassing and it was a little bit babyish for me.
“Father Christmas was very nice and the elf was very funny and cheeky.”
(PHOTOGRAPH BY TERESA McMAHON)
SalfordOnline.com Rating: 5 out of 5
Originally the creation of actor and director, John Hester, The Night Before Christmas truly encapsulates all that is magical and joyous about this time of year.
If, like me, you find yourself dreading the prospect of traipsing around visiting relatives you don’t know (or like), spending all your money on presents just to get a Boots’ 3 for 2 in return, and accidentally standing on rather selfishly discarded Moshi Monsters, then this delightful little show will remind you of the mystery and wonder that surrounds this time of year.
There was lots of friendly staff on hand to gather us all together before we were led to The Studio: an utterly charming little theatre; absolutely perfect for intimate, child-friendly shows like this one.
The set was the inside of a cute grotto; a warm fire with a picture of Rudolph hanging above the mantle, a toy-making machine, and warm cosy lighting. Just as we’d imagine the big fella’s place would look on the inside.
The naughty elf springs from the back of the theatre and runs down the central stairway, surprising all the little ones. She then ‘accidentally’ wets us all with a water gun before Father Christmas himself appears in a puff of smoke to a happy applause of familiarity.
The show takes us on a journey of songs, poems and lots of interactive audience participation. They had us mums and dads singing along and doing all the actions and coped admirably with the very young guests.
The show only lasts about half an hour. After that the kids get to meet Father Christmas personally and even get a present, so it’s ridiculously good value. There’s no conveyer belt nonsense here. Oh no! FC spends a good few minutes with each child and he’s confident and really realistic. He also lets you take photos, with his mischievous elf at his side cracking jokes.
All in all, the whole thing’s about an hour long. I’ve paid for Catherine to see Father Christmas every year and this is by far the absolute best one she’s ever seen.
The elf were a great actress; confident and funny, and all the staff were lovely and helpful throughout.
If you’ve got kids under the age of 8, take them to see this. It’s too good to miss, a proper visit to Father Christmas.
My daughter Catherine enjoyed it so much that she wanted to write her own little review about it: “My favourite part was when the naughty elf sprayed us with water. My mummy was singing the songs really loud which was very embarrassing and it was a little bit babyish for me.
“Father Christmas was very nice and the elf was very funny and cheeky.”
(PHOTOGRAPH BY TERESA McMAHON)