“Christmas doesn't start until we see The Santa Claus Show”, according to one local theatre-goer. For his and many other families, Tim Bray Theatre Company’s ‘The Santa Claus Show’ is an integral part of their Christmas tradition, with children or grandchildren revelling in the familiar yet different-every-year tale of best friends Kelly and Alana and their different expectations of Christmas.
This year is the seventeenth season of ‘The Santa Claus Show’ – and the fourteenth appearance as Santa Claus by Tim Raby, who appeared as Santa in the first production in 1991. Just as Tim is firmly established as Santa, so too is ‘The Santa Claus Show’ on Auckland’s list of must-dos for families at Christmas.
Kelly is an energetic girl who knows what she wants. At Christmas, she wants a lot. Alana, her friend from next door, is quieter, content with her lot, kind and caring. She goes out of her way to help others; Kelly still has a few lessons to learn. Kelly sends the longest wish list for Christmas that Santa has ever seen. In response, Santa flies Kelly to the North Pole so she can learn for herself the true meaning of Christmas.
At the North Pole they meet Santa Claus’s side-kick Elfie, one of the most enthusiastic elves you’ll ever meet. Elfie has the distinguished role of chief elf in Santa’s workshop, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a wicked sense of fun! And of course no story about Santa is complete without Rudolf.
Between Alana, Elfie, Santa and some helper elves, Kelly comes to appreciate the special meaning of Christmas, and the show comes to a very special end, that leaves Kelly and everyone in the audience with a warm Christmas feeling.
In keeping with the Christmas spirit and the Tim Bray Theatre Company (TBTC) mission of making theatre accessible for all, the company continues to provide audio-described and New Zealand Sign Language interpreted shows, as well as donating theatre tickets to Make-a-Wish (New Zealand) and low-decile school groups, through the Gift a Seat programme.
In addition, for the first time, ‘The Santa Claus Show’ is offering a sensory relaxed performance for anyone who would benefit from a casual, supportive theatre atmosphere, which softens some technical elements and offers resource materials to create an inclusive theatre experience. TBTC has been working with Children’s Autusim Foundation to develop the special performance and online tools to help theatre goers with a sensory relaxed journey to the theatre. The tools include a welcome video, a frequently asked questions section, performance day arrival Information and theatre house rules, so that young people and their families can arrive fully prepared. An online visual story guide to read before coming to the performance has images of the show taken at the dress rehearsal.
The company has also added a chill-out zone in The PumpHouse Theatre foyer which has a tv screen showing the performance also should your child find the theatre too much, a relaxed space if your child needs a quiet place to settle, familiarisation visits, a pre-show tour, open seating space, and more.
Tim Bray Theatre Company, The Santa Claus Show ’19
Bookings: phone 489 8360 or visit www.timbray.org.nz
Children are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Christmas character and join the on-stage costume parade prior to every show.
To book a familiarisation visit to the theatre or to find out more about the 14 December sensory relaxed performance phone 09 486 2261 or email katie@timbray.org.nz
[If room - sidebar:]
BREAK A LEG! Explore the magic of theatre
Two-day, one-day and half-day theatre workshops allow children aged 5-12 to watch ‘The Santa Claus Show’ and learn how the show works, with a lighting box and backstage tour, Q & A session with the cast, drama activities and arts and crafts.
Monday 19 December – Saturday 21 December
Book at www.timbray.org.nz/youth-theatre or call (09) 486 22 61
