Santa's Naughty Elf and the Frozen Christmas

Way back in 2009 we saw our first ever Santa's Naughty Elf at The Customs House, and we have been going back every year since!

This years offering ' Santas Naughty Elf and The Frozen Christmas' was just as good as the rest, with plenty of singing, slapstick and silly jokes to keep everyone entertained. 

Elfluent has accidentally ruined Christmas AGAIN by freezing Santa's workshop, never fear though with help from his hapless brother Elfreddo , like the chocolate you know, a Fairy Snoflake  and Snowy the mysterious elf soon they will have things back on track.

First though they'll throw in some audience participation, and be warned they are watching, some funny jokes, and some slapstick scenes and you have a recipes for fun and laughter for all the family.

My particular highlight was 'MC Chocolate' rapping fresh prince style, however my kids just loved the slapstick so much they were almost crying with laughter. I won't lie I wiped tears of laughter from my face as well. Wayne Miller and his cast deliver a truly great family friendly performance.

No visit is complete without meeting Santa who has gifts for every child, and a wonderful Santa he is too. A lovely toch this year was the gifts which aren't the usual chocolate offering, and certainly made my three happy as can be

The Naughty Elf will be causing mayhem at the The Customs House until 24th December and you should book ASAP at shows are selling out fast. I promise is you have little people age 8 and under you will not be disspointed in this show. Book online or by calling Box Office on 0191 4541234

James and The Giant Peach at Northern Stage

If you want an alternative to the standard 'he's behind you' Christmas offering then James and the Giant Peach  Northern Stage should be your first port of call.

What can I say? Wow ! The show with absolutely amazing we were enthralled from start to finish with scooters and sharks and skipping and dancing and songs and giant jellyfish and bubbles and music and tap dancing!!! It was a feast of sensory delight. There are so many wonderful things about the show that it is hard to convey my excitement in words. It was fantastic and  an absolute joy to see Northern Stage using both stage 1 and Stage 2 spaces to create an enormous set with seating 'in the round'

This show is very immersive, pulling the audience into the performance and including them in activities so I would definitely try to get seats close to the front or in the side stage seating. 

There are giant peaches, like really giant peaches, ones that start of the size of a tennis ball and get bigger and bigger and bigger until you think the cast are going to bring out a hot air balloon! 

There are lovely songs a great musical score and the brilliant choreography makes you want to get up and dance, in fact Peanut did at one point jump up to do a little jig. I felt guilt telling her to sit down!   Th show is filled with fabulous acting to be honest  I could blather on all day about how amazing I thought it was.

The story follows pretty much true Roald Dahl's book and I think Roald Dahl himself would have been up on his feet and would have approved fully of the direction, story telling and clever use of stage and props. The show is directed by Mark Calvert 

Photo credits Topher Mcgrillis

Students from Newcastle University offered a lovely supporting performance  and we each loved different characters, I was fond of Mr Earth Worm and the Aunts, Peanut loved Miss Spider for her brilliant dancing and elegance and The Golden Child liked James, who offered just the right balance of making me want to cry, cheer, and  jump up to hug him but the best bit according to the golden child was the Jelly fish!

This show won't fail to impress anybody who goes to see you it, it's a real foot tapper and I would say on par with any West End musicals that I've seen. The performance is a brilliant the musical score is awesome   the story is a lovely heartwarming tale of making friends and no longer being lonely. With excellent excellent use of props stage set and lighting you should definitely go and see this as soon as possible, get booked up, get tickets close to the front if you can and you can be part of saving  the giant peach , swimming with the jellyfish and the sharks and the Octopus's!

I promise you will not regret buying tickets for this show you can book online or by calling the Box Office on 0191 2305151and you can see more images from the show here 

We were given tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show, all opinions are our own

Santas Naughty Elf and The Christmas Caper

6 years ago with Peanut aged only 1 and The Golden Child just newly annouced and growing strong, we headed of to see Santa's Naughty Elf at The Customs House. Peanut found it all rather hilarious, bright colours, music, dance and funny faces, what was not to love? The adults in the room were laughing just as hard, although possibly not at the same jokes, as the children, and so another Christmas tradition began. We have seen all of the naughty Elf shows since then and each has been just as much fun as the last, and this year apparently has had record sales so the team are obviously doing something right.

Santa's Naughty Elf and The Christmas caper shows Elfluent (Wayne Miller) being surprisingly well behaved, holding interviews with Elfluena (Sarah Boulter) for a new workshop elf. When Elflirty (Lauren Amour) gets the job, fellow candidate Elfranky (Steve Stobbs) decides to wreak havoc by stealing Santa's order book, magic dust and even kidnapping the man himself! Can Elfluent get Christmas back in time?

Theres lots of audience participation, a chance to learn new songs and dance moves and lots of jokes and funny capers too. Naughty Elf is a perfect show for the smaller members of your family as its fun and only an hour long, But its great for older kids to as the jokes are suitable and its a good laugh for everyone. Wayne Miller, who also directs the show, provides lots of laughs with his jokes and capers and this year displays his great vocal talents alongside the equally lovely sounding Lauren Amour.

Children get to meet Santa and Mrs Claus at the end of the show and say hi to the Elfy ones too. Its a lovely festive treat and great value for money The show runs until 24 December and you need to get in quick to get tickets, book online or call the box office 0191 4541234

Posted with Blogsy by The Monkeyfooted Mummy

Up and Out Christmas Sprout at Northern Stage

It is always a much anticipated day when we go to Northern Stage for their under 6's show, we've been to every one since 2006 and I have no plans to stop!

This years offering tells the tale of Willie Sprout, (Tom Isted) who 'knows his limits' he doesn't like change, or new things. He won't even give up his 'old, small, saggy bottom' pyjamas! His Dad knows that actually the sky is the limit for Willie but how can he convince him?

Cue Hether Grether and the magical Snow Dragon Egg..

credit - Topher McGrillis

Willie is running out of time to get the Dragon Egg back to its rightful place, will he make it? Watch out for some enthusiastic and very funny 'Snagpies' they want your shiny things, and prepare to tap your feet clap your hands and join in with some singing!

credit - Topher McGrillis

The show is amazing it's fast paced and filled with adventure and a truly uplifting story for anyone who's ever had doubts about their capabilities, a perfect lesson for any little (or big) person.

Karen Traynor is a perfect choice for the under 6s show the kids just love her and she is always a joy to watch, Hannah Goudie plays several characters with seamless changes and brilliant accents and we were all taken with Willies Dad (Tim Dalling) who is just lovely and plays so many fantastic instruments through the show AND  he even let us try on his hat!

credit - Topher McGrillis

We all loved his soft shoe shuffle dance and ukulele number! And Willie? Well everyone in the auditorium was rooting for him, cheering him on and encouraging him with no prompting from the performers. He had all of our hearts and my eldest was keen to let him know he was the difference at the end! He had her convinced he'd become a brave explorer for sure!

credit - Topher McGrillis

The Northern Stage team always seem to hit the nail spot on with this little show, the set is beautifully simple and as always cleverly designed to take you along on an airborne adventure. The songs are catchy the costumes are brilliantly made and the story is perfectly written to hold completely the attention of your little ones. We were a party of 5, 2 adults, and children ages 2,5 and nearly 7 and we each loved it equally.

Now I have a 'no Christmas decoration before December' rule in our house but honestly we could have come home and put up the tree after this show it is a full on festive frolic and you shouldn't miss it! If you love Christmas go see it, if you are feeling a lack of festive spirit go see it, if you have little people under 8 go see it, in fact if you are human just GO SEE IT! But be quick tickets sell out fast, book online or call 0191 2305151

Posted with Blogsy by The Monkeyfooted Mummy