After 20 months of closure, Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre opens its doors again with a range of Christmas entertainment.
From Saturday 4th December till Friday 24th December, is All I Want For Christmas directed by Julie Ellen and Johnny McKnight. The show highlights the stories of two people, whether friends or family, and their tales of their Christmas gatherings, with a different talented twosome to entertain each week. Johnny McKnight has worked with the duos to reveal the secrets of what the festive period means to them in a musical sandwich which features everyone’s favourite tunes.
From Tuesday 30th November till Friday 24th Decemberwe haveIs that you, Santa? written and directed by Jennifer Dick – a new music-filled show aimed at children aged 5 and under and their families that’s all about Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve and one wee person won’t go to sleep despite Sleepy Songs from Mum and as we all know, Santa won’t arrive till everyone’s asleep. But just as the sandman is doing his work, there’s a noise…
Both showsare funded by a grant from the second round of the Scottish Government Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, administered by Creative Scotland.
Artistic Director of Macrobert Arts Centre Julie Ellen, said “Christmas is a magical time of the year at Macrobert and this year will be no exception. After the last eighteen months, it is wonderful to be inviting people of all ages back inside Macrobert Arts Centre to experience live performance. We love to hear the children in our foyer getting excited at the arrival of Santa and we really look forward to all of you enjoying the fantastic range of shows, films and other great experiences in our Festive offer 2021.’
Also running from Saturday 4th December till Friday 24th December, is a screened version of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s magical outdoor experience, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus,written by Hannah Lavery and based on the original story by L. Frank Baum. When Alice wants to catch Santa, she ends up on a journey into the magical world of Wood Nymphs, Knooks, and Ryls, from the Forest of Burzee to the Laughing Valley and beyond.
From 10th till 24th December, there will be a screening of Steven Spielberg’s brand new adaptation of the classic West Side Story that includes musical favourites Maria, America, Tonight, I Feel Pretty and Somewhere.
Macrobert’s cinema space will also present screenings of the Royal Opera House’s production of the much-loved ballet classicThe Nutcracker from9th to 12th December (excluding 10th).
If shopping’s more your thing, there is Handmade 2021, an annual free entry exhibition of some of Scotland’s best makers that returns from 1st December till 9th January.
Macrobert is committed to ensuring audiences are welcomed back in a safe and enjoyable way. A number of precautions such as 1-metre social distancing remain in place so audiences can feel secure about returning to the venue. Full information available at Macrobert’s website.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 