Reading Rep is presenting The Night Before Christmas this Christmas Reading Rep
Reading Rep produce another magical production with an adaptation of Clement Clarke Moore’s famous poem ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.
The audience enters through Santa’s mailroom, met by Christmas elves who chat and play with the children. Letters to Santa are left for you to read and an activity table to keep the younger members of the audience occupied.
In the theatre, children are encouraged to sit on cushions at the front and so they are in the thick of the action as the story unfolds.
Sian Goff returns (she previously played Catherine in Proof), as the Santa Scientist who gives us a solo tour de force as she takes us on a quest to find Father Christmas.
We learn how she became a scientist when Father Christmas gave her a kit to make a radio when she was a little girl. So grew her love of machines. To aid her search she has invented three Santa spotting machines.
The studio is transformed into the North Pole, a boat and a house by Russell Pearn who cleverly uses a large screen and a projected backdrop. The sound effects also work well often adding additional comedy to the production.
In the end Father Christmas does turn up and leaves presents for all the children in the audience.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is a lovely, imaginative, modern take on a classic poem and the idea that no matter how hard you try you never seem to be able to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas.
Santa Scientist: Sian Goff
Director: Paul Stacey
Set design: Victoria Spearing
Lighting, projection and sound design: Russell Pearn
Producer: Aiden Grounds
Original poem: Clement Clarke Moore, adapted by Douglas Rintoul
Performances resume on December 27 until January 3. To book click here.
Reading Studio of Dramatic Art, Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4HJ
Last modified on Wednesday, 24 December 2014 13:59
