Katherine MacAlister catches up with a very busy Father Christmas as he prepares to bring his exciting, all-singing, all-dancing show for children to the Cornerstone in Didcot

Santa Clause has gone AWOL and no one can find him. I know it’s his busiest time of year, but as he’s coming to Didcot on Monday to perform in the Christmas show, it’s vital that we speak to him.

Finally emerging from his workshop to talk to me about his latest guise in The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, Santa, aka Andrew Pugsley, tells me that the show is about the life and times of our famous festive figurehead, and answers all the questions little children have about Christmas, such as where do the reindeers come from, why do we have stockings, where was Santa born, why does he make toys and so on. “It’s Santa as a young man, his back story,” he explains.

Based on the book of the same title by L Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, the production tells the story of Santa’s early life from being adopted by wood nymphs to making and delivering his very first toys.

“It’s a really lively little show and really enjoyable, pitched perfectly at the younger age group, without being patronising, which really engages them,” Andrew says proudly. “And the children bring their own infectious energy with them and come dressed up in their elf hats and their reindeer outfits, which keeps us going through the extensive schedule (up to three shows a day),” until it closes on Christmas Eve.

As for the show, Andrew says: “It’s so interactive, we get the audience singing and dancing, so there’s a great atmosphere and the children take part as much as possible.”

Still a famously hard audience to impress though? ”I don’t think it’s as hard as people make out,” Andrew says. “Children are very honest, and if they are bored they let you know, but as long as you’re engaging them and they want to be there, they always react well. And considering they are aged 3-7, this is often their first theatrical experience, so it’s really nice to see them so excited.”

And with that Santa is gone, back to his elves, to do what he’s best at, making Christmas special for all the boys and girls he will be entertaining over the coming weeks.

SEE IT
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus comes to The Cornerstone in Didcot from December 15 to 24 . See cornerstone-arts.org or call 01235 515144.

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