Father Christmas has a problem! After a few mince pies, a glass or two of milk and a little eggnog he finds himself in dire need of a bathroom!
Adapted from Nicholas Allan’s original book by duo James Worthington and Kate Lindsey it is a magical journey for all ages using original songs, puppets and imaginative scenery trickery.
Tell us about your show
Father Christmas is back on his rounds… and he still needs a WEE!
At every house Father Christmas eats and drinks the tasty treats that have been left for him. But when he reaches number ten he realizes that he’s forgotten to do something rather important and he really, really, really needs a WEE! TaleGate Theatre Productions hit the perfect combination of witty humour, fantastic music and the extra sparkle for which they have become known in this fabulously funny and brilliantly bouncy musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s much loved book.
Why did you decide to take your show to Space UK this year?
Father Christmas Needs a Wee! is back at the fringe by popular demand for one week only. This is the chance to see the musical back in its original intimate venue before it heads out on a UK theatre tour in Winter 2015. The musical premiered in August 2013 and saw success in a sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe followed by a sell out UK Tour across number one theatre venues in 2014. Adapted from Nicholas Allan’s original book by duo James Worthington and Kate Lindsey it is a magical journey for all ages using original songs, puppets and imaginative scenery trickery. TaleGate Theatre Productionshas created children’s theatre and workshops for venues and councils across the UK since 2009 but it is this musical that has sent them on a magic sleigh ride to success!
Why Edinburgh? What’s the attraction?
It’s the excitement and colour of it all! Not to mention the rest of the theatre world closes down for August so there is really no reason not to be in Edinburgh. There is also something special about the camaraderie you build with fellow show flyers, often seeing the same groups at similar times on the mile.
Have you brought a show to the festival before?
This is our fourth show to visit the Fringe (if you count Father Christmas’s previous visit in 2013.) Stranger in the house in 2008, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland in 2011 and Father Christmas Needs a Wee! in 2013 and now in 2015. All shows have been produced in theSpace @ Venue 45. It feels like coming home to a warm family that you visit bi-annually. It is a great space as its right off the mile and theSpaceUK really do a great job in looking after the teams and productions in their venues!
What makes your show unique amongst the thousands of others at the festival?
It has been successful at the fringe before and it went on a sell out UK tour last year. It gives audiences the opportunity to see the show in its original close up venue. Money is still tight for families so our show offers guaranteed quality and the peace of mind the boys and girls will have a great time with a story they are familiar with.
What has been the biggest challenge in getting your show ready for Edinburgh?
Re-rehearsing the show for a small venue with thrust staging. The show requires a different skill to when it has been presented in places such as the Swansea Grand Theatre.
If your show does well in Edinburgh, what do you want to do with it next?
We already have a UK tour book for November/ December this year and plans for to adapt another of Nicholas Allan’s books next year The Giant’s Loo Roll. (You heard it here first folks!)
About You
Show Name: Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
Production: Company TaleGate Theatre Productions
Venue: theSpace @ Venue 45
Dates: 20th-29th August (Not Sunday 23rd)
Times: 10.30am (approx an hour performance)
Twitter Handle: @talegatetheatre #santawee
