Father Christmas brings a festive storytelling show to the Bluecoat

Father Christmas is heading to the Bluecoat this winter as the Liverpool arts centre launches a brand new festive storytelling experience, created with local storyteller and theatre maker Gav Cross.

Running from Saturday 29 November to Tuesday 23 December, Father Christmas Storytelling promises an hour of funny, heartwarming and slightly mischievous Christmas tales. The stories have been written by Gav and performed by his distant cousin… who just happens to be Father Christmas himself. After several sell out years across Merseyside, he’s finally been persuaded to make a stop at the Bluecoat in the heart of the city centre.

The show is described by previous audiences as “pure Christmas magic,” expect laughter, festive chaos and a chance for families to get photos with Father Christmas after the performance. Families can also choose to add on a children’s lunch bag to make the day even easier.

For Gav, it’s a return to the venue where he launched his award winning show Twisted Christmas Tales for Terrible Children back in 2019.

Gav said: “I’m a little annoyed that my cousin, Father Christmas, copied my idea. Back in 2019 I brought my storytelling show to the Bluecoat and he decided he wanted one too. He thought I was too mean to the children and made me write something new for him. Now here we are, back at the Bluecoat.”

He added: “All storytellers have some magic. When the world is cold and dark outside, storytelling lifts you up. This show is full of silliness and nonsense, and Father Christmas is slightly nicer to children than I am.”

The experience has been created to be as inclusive as possible. Gav’s shows are designed with both neurodivergent and neurotypical children in mind, giving them the freedom to move around, choose seats and get involved in whatever way feels comfortable. Father Christmas will already be in the room when families arrive, giving children time to settle in and adjust.

One parent said: “My little girl gets overwhelmed really easily and has a hard time joining in, but she was up pretending to be a reindeer today and couldn’t stop smiling all the way home.”

Several relaxed performances will also take place, offering a gentler atmosphere with lower volume, softer lighting, and the option for visually impaired children to take part in a pre show touch tour.

Tickets:
General ticket: £13 per person
Family ticket: £47 (family of four, must include at least one adult and one child)

Tickets available here.

Find out what’s on at Unity Theatre this Christmas.

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