EntertainmentTheatre

Santa’s Dizzy Day at the Victoria Theatre Halifax Review

4-6 December 2014

Reviewed by Louise Totton

My two daughters, aged 5 and 2, were beyond excited to have the opportunity to see Santa’s Dizzy Day at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax.

My 5 year old visits the theatre frequently, and always really enjoys her day out, but I wasn’t sure how well my 2 year old would cope with sitting still for a long period, so this show seemed an ideal introduction. The subject matter was always going to really appeal to young children, and this show was only 35 minutes long, which seemed the perfect running time. The show also took place in the theatre’s lounge, which is a somewhat less formal environment than the theatre proper.

It is hard to comment on the theatre itself, as we didn’t use the main auditorium, but the lounge was lovely and warm and clean. The staff were, without exception, brilliant and interacted with all of the waiting kids really nicely.

The lounge was set up with a combination of chairs, stools and large cushions on the floor for the kids to sit on, with a small stage set up right in front of the kids. It felt very cosy and familiar, and the children were able to get themselves properly comfortable and relax into the show.

The show told the story of Ellie the Elf and Santa as they tried to organise lists, find important items, and get themselves ready for Christmas Eve. It was a short and simple story, one that I would imagine all of the children could understand and engage with. The characters spoke to the children and invited their participation in songs, actions, and finding things throughout the show. This really was a fully interactive production, and unusually for a room full of 2-5 year olds, not a single child appeared bored or unhappy.

Ellie the Elf was wonderful, we met a fab Rudolph, a cheeky mouse, and Santa was one of the best I have ever seen. My 5 year old was invited up onto the stage to take part and this truly made her day, she was beside herself with pride afterwards.

To top off a wonderful show, all of the children were able to meet Santa individually at the end of the show for photographs and they were given a small gift too. A really, really fantastic production, a wonderful experience for the kids and thoroughly enjoyable for parents too. This was a great introduction to the theatre for very young children, and possibly more enjoyable than a panto for the very young.

I thought this was an absolute bargain at £7 for an adult and £9 for a child, and would really recommend it to parents. My 5 year old was probably right at the top of the age suitability, but up to about 5 years old it is fantastic.

A lovely pre-Christmas treat.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets: Children £10 (including a gift from Santa), Adults £7 (no gift!), Nursery or pre-school groups of 12+ all seats £9 with gift or £7 without. Prices include a £1 Theatre Support Fee per ticket.

For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01422 351158.

Victoria Theatre, Fountain Street, Halifax HX1 1BP | 01422 351158

5Star

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