This Christmas, we’re teaming up with Exeter-based PaddleBoat Theatre Company to bring a brand-new version of the beloved fairy tale The Elves and the Shoemaker to the Barnfield Theatre. The interactive 50-minute adventure is perfect for children aged 3 – 7, and will be full of clowning, puppetry, and a magical miniature world. This week, The Elves and the Shoemaker is visiting four Devon hospitals – in Exeter, Torbay, Barnstaple, and Plymouth – to bring joy to children and families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to make it to the theatre.
This is only possible thanks to the work of Starlight, a national charity for children’s play in healthcare. This Christmas season, Starlight are working with five companies, including PaddleBoat, to bring family theatre to almost 40 hospitals across the UK.
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PaddleBoat are really excited to bring The Elves and the Shoemaker to Devon hospitals this week for four special performances. As part of our ethos of theatre for all, we’re really happy to bring our show to young people who might not get to a theatre this year. It’s our first time bringing theatre into any hospital settings and we’re really grateful to Starlight for arranging it.
PaddleBoat Theatre
Photo by Lillie Sherry
This is one of many ways we are making it possible for local people facing barriers to enjoy the magic of theatre at Christmas. Each year, thanks to the kind donations of our audiences, we work with community organisations to gift free tickets to young people and families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend. So far this year, audiences have helped us raise over £10,000 for our Pay It Forward fund, enabling us to donate more than 500 tickets. For the first time ever, we’re gifting tickets to The Elves and the Shoemaker as well as our annual pantomime, extending the experience to children as young as three.
Relaxed and BSL-interpreted performances are another way we are making The Elves and the Shoemaker accessible to as many children and families as possible. We are looking forward to welcoming 66 students and teachers from the Deaf Academy to our BSL-interpreted performance on Wed 18 Dec.
Access Performances at our TheatreWhat a wonderful show! It was so lovely – charming, engaging and beautifully acted and staged. It’s not easy to create a theatrical atmosphere in a hospital, especially when patients and families are having a tough time and can be quite withdrawn, but the cast managed to make gentle connections with each child (including very much appreciated off-the-cuff use of sign language) and create a warm and positive atmosphere.
Susie Hall, Starlight Children’s Foundation
Looking to add some theatre magic to your family festivities? Book for The Elves and the Shoemaker now by clicking the button below. Wondering how you can support our work with local young people and families? Drop a coin in our bucket using the slider below.
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