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Picture
Big Wooden Horse present 
The Night Before Christmas
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
20th to 29th December 2019

​✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
​

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…
So begins the widely-loved and hugely influential poem (actually originally titled “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, though sometimes known by the first line) by Clement Clarke Moore. These opening phrases in particular are known across the globe, and will have been recognisable even to many of the young ears in the Dixon Studio as Big Wooden Horse opened The Night Before Christmas, which runs from 20th – 29th December 2019.

This festive production is aimed at children aged 3-7, and is packed full of expected – but nonetheless charming – delights. There are elements of pantomime in the form of audience participation, some wacky and adventurous original songs, and suitably exciting costumes, set and design work throughout.

The Night Before Christmas opens with young Emily (Abbey Norman), who is struggling to get to sleep on Christmas Eve for various compelling reasons. There was indeed a palpable sense of sympathetic recognition from the parents in the audience when Emily’s father (Adam Jessop) struggled to get her to settle down to bed, and eventually he decides to read part of the titular poem to help Emily to sleep. Intrigued by the second line, Emily’s young mind decides that Christmas is not for mice, and when one scurries around her room, she throws it out of the window.

It is at this point that the production takes a turn for the unexpected. The mouse, it turns out, is called Eddie (and played engagingly and with no shortage of stylised “rodent-isms” by Rachel Fletcher-Hudson), and is so upset at being thrown out of the house that he breaks into a country power ballad.

In something of a twist, Eddie is actually the protagonist of the piece, which sees him embark on a voyage back into – and around – the house, searching for affirmation from Santa that mice and other creatures can be part of Christmas, too. Along the way, Eddie encounters a cowardly robot (Adam Jessop in the second of his roles) that is something of a Buzz Lightyear parody, and a slightly ditzy fairy (Abbey Norman, also multi-roling). Highlights of Eddie’s journey include an amusing flirtatious chemistry between the robot and the fairy, as well as the robot’s oft-repeated and overly pompous theme song. Additionally, there is, towards the end of the piece, an impressive and visually exciting use of puppetry to represent a fiendish cat.

Worth its own commendation is the set; in a smart nod to the story’s literary inspiration and origin, the backdrops unfold from a central block, designed to resemble the pages of a book. The effect, therefore, is that moments where actors change the scenes in front of our eyes are not awkward or uncomfortable, but appear to us as players turning the pages of a book. An effective and creative solution that works neatly in the Dixon Studio’s limited space.

All three actors bring distinctive physicality and voice to their characters, delivering the story clearly and with commitment. It is pleasing also to hear all three sing an array of original songs that encompass a number of genres and styles. At this point I would love to credit the composer and lyricist, however show programmes are not available for this production, and the composer and lyricist’s names are not listed on any promotional material – a small shame that I hope might be rectified for future productions.

The Night Before Christmas is a pleasantly-paced, hour-long production that will amuse, entertain and delight children aged 3-7 in particular (not least because of the stockings and sweet treats available in the foyer and on the way out!) – most pre-Christmas performances are already sold out, but shows on the 27th, 28th and 29th December still have some availability. The show’s messages of inclusion, kindness, friendship and bravery certainly remain relevant and important for children and grown-ups alike even after December 25th.

Review:  Ashton Moore

Tickets:  www.southendtheatres.org.uk  Box Office 01702 351135
Premium (21st-24th Dec) £14.00 - Ticket & Santa’s Surprise Stocking: £21.00
Standard (20th & 27th-29th Dec) £13.00 - Ticket & Santa’s Surprise Stocking: £20.00
Add to the magic with Santa's Surprise Stocking, £7 each when bought in advance, £8 on the day (limited stock available)
Santa's Surprise Stocking contains:
  • Mini-plush toy
  • Sweet cone
  • Colouring activity booklet and pencils
  • Snow melt water
  • Christmas shortbread
  • Healthy snack
  • Christmas tattoos
  • Novelty puzzle
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. 

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