This is a magical time of year and we have some festive treats in store for our audiences with Miracle on 34th Street, which runs from December 9–11, and our Christmas production, the musical phenomenon Cats, which starts on December 17.

The theatre is a part of the local community and we aim to give our support whenever we can, which is why we are holding two special collections this year.

As you may have seen in the pages of this paper, we have launched a gift appeal in aid of Oxford Children’s Hospital. We are asking audiences, and members of the public, to donate a gift suitable for a child aged from birth to 16, which will be delivered to youngsters at the hospital by cast members from Miracle on 34th Street.

Nobody enjoys being in hospital, especially at this time of year and with your help, we hope to be able to put a smile on the faces of children who deserve to enjoy a very special Christmas.

Gifts have already been dropped off and anyone who wants to make a donation can do so at the box office, in George Street, Monday to Friday between 10am and 6pm (or 5pm on days when there is no evening performance). The last day for donations is tomorrow.

The only thing we ask is that donations are not wrapped; this is to allow the hospital to ensure that suitable gifts go to each child. You can decorate with a ribbon or bow if you wish to.

And we are not forgetting our four-legged friends this festive season either. Throughout the run of Cats we will be holding collections after each performance in aid of the Oxford and district branch of Cats Protection.

The money will be used to help the volunteers who man the centre to carry out their work. The centre needs to raise a minimum of £50,000 a year to cover the cost of caring for and re-homing hundreds of cats and kittens in the area. There will be collection buckets around the auditorium and we would greatly appreciate any loose change you can spare – no matter how little, it will make a huge difference to the charity.

With your help, we hope to spread a bit of festive cheer across the city this Christmas.

We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and look forward to welcoming you to the New Theatre soon.

Elizabeth Adlington, Area Theatre Manager at the New Theatre, Oxford