Operation Save Santa At The Garage – Norwich!
In typical me and my disorganised style I rocked up to the preview for All In Productions “Operation Save Santa” at The Garage in Norwich with quite the wrong children for the performance. You see, they are gifting us two this year, this one, which is geared up for 5-10 year olds, and a “My First” production (if you’ve been to their offerings before like the panto or Shakespeare then you’ll be a fan) which has its sights set on an audience of pre-schoolers. I had it muddled up in my head and took the little two to the show I should have taken the big two to. Of course, this is me! However, while Posie may not have understood what was going on she absolutely enjoyed it and Raffie, at the very earliest of the age ranges this is aimed at, 100% understood the storyline and loved every second (as I just know the big two would have too)!
Three actors portray the day a brother and sister save Santa when he gets into difficulty after he ditches the reindeer in favour of hi-tech slay shenanigans but… It’s a lot more than JUST this… The story is sophisticated and beautiful with incredibly poignant moments throughout. It tells a difficult and tricky side to childhood for some and instead of offering a fairy tale ending, it delivers with a realistic conclusion which is, all the same, rather heart warming.
The actors and thoroughly believable and incredibly talented, I felt fully immersed in a way I don’t always with children’s theatre but this really entices the audience in for an invitation to believe. Not just in Father Christmas and the magic of the season, but in love, life and relationships with family. Director Daniel Burgess has assisted the characters, brother and sister Seb and Flic to really bring their sibling relationship to life beautifully and their Grandad, who may also be the big FC, is wonderfully believable as both!
I cried at the end, I couldn’t help myself, it moved me in a way I wasn’t expecting and not all for the sad it has to be said. And while I have touched on the fact there is a tear jerk moment I don’t want you to think there isn’t a light hearted feel with jovial Christmas spirit, because there absolutely is. From the moment you enter the performance space and are tested for the naughty or nice list, this is a fun, engaging and thought provoking piece of theatre brought to us by All IN and playing at The Garage in Norwich from now until the 8th of January.
Ticket prices are £15.50 for adults, £8.50 for children and under 1s are FREE. I want to ask you to support this company over the Christmas period if you can. They are incredibly decent folk who are producing fabulous theatre at a very minimal cost to those who can afford to go. They are also gifting 2000 tickets this season for some children who may not be able to see their show due to financial circumstances but who they know will benefit greatly from the experience. Good on All In!
Book your tickets through The Garage, Norwich.
(Please note, the story line discusses parents who are potentially not in love anymore and possibly separating.)
Next week I will be taking the right children to see All In’s “My First” production at the same venue “Into The snow Globe” – I’ll keep you posted.
We were invited to see the show as guests of All In Productions.
Follow