A Tiny Cast Delivering Huge Festive Magic – Christmas Storytelling at its Absolute Finest.
Red Ladder’s A Town Called Christmas may only have a cast of three, but honestly, they deliver the energy of an ensemble of twenty. Leading the adventure is Maryam Ali as Clementine, a wonderfully natural protagonist who sweeps the young audience along on a mission to rediscover the mysterious town her beloved late aunt adored.
Charles Doherty brings brilliant grumpiness as Tim the caretaker, the show’s resident Scrooge whose reluctant journey back to the joy of Christmas ultimately saves the day.
And stealing plenty of laughs is Roo Arwen as Glitch the Robot, whose comic timing and playful physicality keep the children glued to the action. Together, the trio work seamlessly, creating a fast-paced, slick and totally engaging performance that never loses momentum.
The music is nothing short of stunning. With gorgeous three-part harmonies and entirely original songs by Bay Bryan and Claire O’Connor, the score is varied, catchy and captures the sheer joy of the season.
The writing, by Elvi Piper, is clever, witty and wonderfully unique. One standout moment for me was the train journey with multi-functional props transforming instantly, smooth transitions, and those cheeky nods to Yorkshire that had the adults laughing in recognition.
What makes this show truly shine is its clarity and heart. The story is simple enough for young children to follow, yet rich enough to keep adults beautifully entertained. Cheesy Christmas cracker jokes land throughout, some eliciting genuine laughter, others the sort of delighted groans that are practically tradition at this time of year.
Slung Low and Red Ladder have also crafted an experience, not just a show. The snowy photo area, the cosy mats at the front, the warm welcome, it all builds excitement before the performance even begins, especially for little ones seeing theatre up close.
Accessibility is also woven in brilliantly. The use of captioned subtitles ensures everyone can follow along, and the incorporation of some sign language blends naturally with the movement and direction. Richard Priestley’s choreography makes the most of the intimate space, keeping everything crisp and creative. I especially adored Kathleen Yore’s puppets, used to retell Clementine’s aunt’s adventures in Christmas Town. The shift in storytelling style adds variety, charm and a lovely layer of theatrical magic.
I genuinely had a big smile on my face from start to finish. Yes, it’s designed for kids, but it’s every bit as joyful for adults. Pantomime is always fun at Christmas, but A Town Called Christmas brings a different kind of magic: gentle, clever, heartfelt and utterly absorbing. It’s honestly one of the best Christmas shows I’ve ever seen… and I’ve seen a lot. Huge appreciation must go to Slung Low for hosting it on a pay-as-you-feel basis. If you’re not already following Slung Low online, please do; their community work and artistic commitment are second to none.
This production forms half of Red Ladder’s festive double-bill, alongside their more adult offering A Proper Merry Christmess, performed by the same impressive cast. I fully intend to catch that one in Wakefield. If this show is anything to go by, it will be another Seasonal treat.
A Town Called Christmas had only a single performance in Leeds, but it’s heading to Huddersfield and Wakefield later this month, and I cannot recommend it highly enough, especially for families with children under 12. It’s a magical Christmas journey for the kids, yes, but I promise the adults will come out just as enchanted. An absolute delight from beginning to end.
Further venues and dates
Stockton Arts Centre (ARC)
December 2 – 13
Wakefield Exchange
December 15, 5.30pm
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
December 19 – 21
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
December 22 – 24, 11am & 2pm
Brighton Dome (all chilled performances)
December 27 – 31
Photography by Robling Photography unless otherwise captioned.
