Wrap-up warm, pack a picnic and prepare to be wowed by some fantastic stage shows, as Brighton Open Air Theatre presents some festive delights for this winter.
2020 has presented us all with a lot of firsts, and this Christmas, BOAT has decided to go one further. For the first time ever, BOAT is producing in-house not one, but two Christmas productions, in rep.
These outdoor, socially-distanced and Covid-compliant shows last one hour each and play for two and a half weeks leading up to Christmas. BOAT encourages visitors to wraps up warm, bring blankets, umbrellas and something dry to sit on, and treat yourself to a mulled wine at the bar before settling down to enjoy the show. These may very well be the only Christmas shows in Brighton this year, so whether it’s a gorgeously re-told classic fairy-tale, or a musical deconstruction of the traditional pantomime, there’s something for you at BOAT this Christmas.
“We at BOAT are delighted to be able to offer two Christmas productions to the Brighton public this year,” said General Manager at BOAT and producer/director, Will Mytum. “As an outdoor venue, producing work is far more viable for us than for many others at the moment, and with a dearth of festive options this year, we’re thrilled to be able to offer both a magical version of The Snow Queen and a pantomime like you’ve never seen before.”
SHOW DETAILS
THE SNOW QUEEN
by Tatty Hennessy after Hans Christian Anderson
directed by Lucy Jane Atkinson
designed by Eleanor Bull
Tues 8 – Thurs 24 Dec, 5pm (2pm Sundays)
Tickets: £12 standard, £10 concessions, £8 child, £35 family of four
Greta’s brother, Kay, has been acting strange. He’s mean and moody and won’t play games. The Snow Queen must have snatched him, and left an imposter in his place! With her new friend, the wise-cracking, fame-hungry talking Crow to guide her, Greta must set out across the snow to search for her brother in the Snow Queen’s palace and bring him home in time for Christmas.
Funny, magic and full of surprises, this new modern adaptation of The Snow Queen is a perfect family Christmas adventure. So wrap up warm, grab a mulled wine from the bar, and enjoy this socially-distanced festive treat.
Run time: 1 hour
Age recommendation: 2+
HANSEL AND GRETEL?
(A Postmodern Pantomime)
by Luke R. Francis
directed by Will Mytum
designed by Eleanor Bull
Tues 8 – Thurs 24 Dec, 7.30pm (4.30pm Sundays)
Tickets: £15 standard, £12.50 concessions, £10 child, £45 family of four
Bill and Toni have just met and fallen head-over-heels for each other. Problem is, they’ve met on stage, and Bill’s been plucked from the audience to play Hansel … with Toni playing her sister Gretel. This is the least of enigmatic director Mal Sixsmith’s troubles, as Simon the Dame demands his role be expanded beyond its paltry fourteen pages.
Featuring musical numbers from Cardi B to Kate Bush, Hansel And Gretel? asks the important questions: what is postmodernism? What is pantomime? Is this really a kid’s show, or just a load of pretentious twaddle?
Honestly? Probably, yes. But there is a rapping dragon, so it’s worth coming just for that.
Run time: 1 hour
Age recommendation: 8+
These productions are supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and sponsored by VisitBrighton’s Never Normal campaign.
Brighton Open Air Theatre is at Dyke Road Park, Dyke Road, Brighton BN3 6EH. Book tickets by visiting www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk or calling TicketSource on 0333 666 4466 (charges apply).