Roz Hicks enjoys an enchanting production for all the family

When I watched Hurry Up, Father Christmas I wasn’t feeling overly festive. But when we left the theatre an hour later, I was most certainly feeling full of Christmas cheer!

The studio was beautifully decorated with snowflakes, piles of presents, a Christmas tree and of course, a huge red sleigh groaning with gifts of all shapes and sizes. There was a warm, informal feel to the setting as you can either sit on cushions scattered around the floor, or pull up a chair if you would rather.

And so we were transported to Father Christmas’s Sleigh Shed in the North Pole to meet Ivy the Elf (played by Leonie Spilsbury) and Mr Tick Tock (Richard Evans), who guided us through the story. This jolly duo led us in several songs with easy to follow words and actions, and we all joined in with great enthusiasm. When Ivy discovers there is not enough magic dust to power Father Christmas’s sleigh on the big night, she sets out to save Christmas. While she is waiting for the arrival of the man himself to provide assistance, we are taken on an exciting journey, where we meet a story-seeking journalist (Robin Red Breast), a lovely husky puppet and two mad Belgian chefs, cooking up a storm for a picnic for Father Christmas to eat while he searches the North Pole for a magic dust supply.

It is an interactive production and there was plenty of opportunity for the audience to participate, from individual volunteers being chosen to everyone being asked to help colour in a large banner towards the end of the show.

It is worked nicely by a cast of just two, with the assistance of the Elf and Safety Christmas helper, who keeps a careful eye on proceedings!

My companion was slightly younger-than-the guideline age (three to six years), but was still able to follow what was going on and very much enjoyed the performance.

If you are looking for a festive-themed outing for younger members of the family, Hurry Up, Father Christmas is an enchanting production which is most certainly worth a visit.

Hurry Up, Father Christmas!
BT Studio, Oxford
Until January 4
Call 01865 305350 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com