Review: Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas for a festive family treat
Yesterday we went to see the children’s show I’ve seen the most times in the past years, and the show that has become my favourite theatre experience for getting us in the spirit of Christmas. We had been invited to see Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, now back for a fifth consecutive season.
The show, based on the classic picture book, tells the story about Father Christmas preparing for Christmas Eve and then delivering presents all over the world. I think it’s a charming festive production, bringing Father Christmas to life for little ones and introducing young theatre goers to the magic of Father Christmas.
During yesterday’s show, 17-month-old Baby Boy kept pointing at the fun cat and dog puppets, while four-year-old Big Girl laughed when it looked like some of the presents Father Christmas was moving around could fall on her. We also loved the special effects, such as the snow when Father Christmas went out in his sleigh in bad weather, which continues to be my favourite part of the show.
Overall, I think it’s hard to fault the sweet scenery, props, puppetry and original and live sounds and music, which make the show unique and entertaining. There are a few jokes intended for the grown ups in the small venue, and the grumpy but likeable Father Christmas stays true to the book and repeats the word ‘blooming’ several times.
Most importantly, however, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas makes little ones giggle and smile. We don’t tire of going to see Father Christmas, and one year we went a second time after first seeing a press performance.
Father Christmas makes us feel like the Christmas season has arrived, and today we’re walking around humming the tune that plays when Father Christmas takes off in his sleigh. A magical Christmas performance for young theatre goers!
Father Christmas is playing at Lyric Hammersmith until 24 December.
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