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Exeter Northcott and PaddleBoat Theatre Company present The Jolly Christmas Postman

Illustration. The Jolly Christmas Postman walks through a garden gate, where he is greeted by all manner of fairy tale characters.

Following last year’s hugely popular The Elves and the Shoemaker, we’re working with PaddleBoat Theatre Company once again for a magical theatrical adventure based on the beloved book The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.

The Jolly Postman is back — and he’s delivering festive cheer all across Fairytale Land! From Red Riding Hood to Humpty Dumpty, the Gingerbread Man to Baby Bear, he has special letters (and surprises!) for all your favourite storybook characters. But will he make his final delivery in time for Christmas?

Packed with music, gentle humour, and plenty of interactive moments, this heart-warming show is perfect for ages 3 – 8 and their families. Expect giggles, gasps, and a sprinkling of snow in this beautifully staged festive tale that brings the joy of storytelling and imagination to life.

Exeter Northcott Theatre and Paddleboat Theatre present The Jolly Christmas Postman. Janet & Allan Ahlberg. All manner of animals and people are dancing around a Christmas tree.

Our Joint Chief Executives Emma Stephenson, Kelly Johnson, and Martin Berry said, “We’re passionate about bringing high-quality theatre to all our local communities, so we’re beyond excited to be teaming up with the brilliant PaddleBoat Theatre once again. The Jolly Christmas Postman is the perfect festive treat for families looking for their first theatre experience, or children who aren’t quite old enough for panto.”

Katy Dash, artistic director of PaddleBoat Theatre Company, says “We are thrilled to be working with the Northcott on a co-production of The Jolly Christmas Postman this year. We can’t wait to bring this iconic and inventive picture book to life on stage for families to enjoy together. For us, the story is brimming with nostalgia, joy, and imagination — so audiences can expect an interactive show bursting with music, warmth, and surprises for all ages!”

Photo of an actor wearing brown overalls and fingerless workman’s gloves with three little humanoid puppets perched on his palm, shoulder, and a shelf. He is standing between two homely-looking worktops.
Photo by Craig Fuller

“We’re giving away hundreds of theatre tickets to local families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to make it to the theatre this Christmas,” adds Kelly Johnson, “2025 is the second year we’ve been able to gift tickets to our Barnfield Theatre Christmas show, to children as young as 3, through our annual Pay It Forward campaign. We’re so grateful for the generosity of our audiences for making it possible.”

One of the recipients of the 2024 Pay It Forward campaign was Homestart Exeter, East and Mid-Devon, who said “A huge thank you to the Exeter Northcott and everyone who contributed to the Pay it Forward scheme. The Elves and the Shoemaker was an absolute hit for our families who attended!”

Audience members will be invited to donate to our Pay It Forward fund when they book.

Full-price tickets for The Jolly Christmas Postman start from £15.50, with a £2 off concession available for children under 16. Tickets are on sale now for our members, and will go on general sale at 10am on Thu 24 Jul.

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