The Jolly Christmas Postman at Royal & Derngate, Northampton Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Janine Rumble
Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of watching the Janet and Allan Ahlberg classic book ‘The Jolly Christmas Postman’ turned stage show at the Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton alongside my friends and their two young boys. The Jolly Christmas Postman show is a ‘Made in Northampton’ by Royal and Derngate production and is a charming theatre experience that feels warm, personal, and full of heart. With a perfect mix of fun, audience participation, and thoughtful storytelling, it keeps children and adults alike entertained from start to finish.
Fans of the book, The Jolly Postman, will love this new Christmas take. On Christmas Eve, with the snow coming down, the Jolly Postman is determined to deliver all of the letters in the post box, especially all of the children’s letters to Father Christmas. He meets many different fairy tale characters in his quest to deliver everything in time. It really is a charming story, with a wonderful ending that brought much excitement from children and adults alike.
Right from the start, the show creates an inviting atmosphere. The small, cosy setting makes it feel as if the audience is stepping right into the pages of a storybook. The colourful and simple set, surrounded by letters addressed to a multitude of fairy tale characters, and clever props bring the world of the Jolly Postman to life, making everything feel close and familiar. Kids were fully drawn in, watching every move with wide-eyed wonder. The sets were very clever and kept very simple, perfect for the young audience, so there were not distracted from the main premise of the show.
What really sets The Jolly Christmas Postman apart is how much it involves the audience. The children weren’t just watching — they were part of the adventure. Actors spoke directly to them, asked questions, and encouraged them to join in. This kept their attention and made them feel like they had a role to play in the story. The kids eagerly responded, laughing, shouting answers, and leaning forward in their seats, completely caught up in the fun. The children especially enjoyed it when the characters ran through the audience to help put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The silliness of the situation made for lots of laughter from all.
The show’s fast pace was just right for young viewers. Scenes moved quickly, and every new character brought fresh excitement. Familiar fairy-tale faces like Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf kept children giggling and guessing what might happen next. There were also plenty of surprises, especially when the postman opened letters and packages. Watching the kids’ faces light up as each new surprise was revealed was magical.
The show never felt too loud or overwhelming, which can sometimes be a challenge for young audiences. Instead, it focused on the simple joy of storytelling. The letters and parcels the postman delivered became little mysteries for the children to solve, and you could feel their excitement grow as they waited to see what would be inside each one.
The extremely talented cast of six deserves a big round of applause. They were full of energy, warmth, and humour. They sang, danced and played all of the music during the production and made all of the characters they played so believable. The actor playing the postman, Samuel Morgan-Grahame, was calm, kind, and funny, while the other characters brought big, playful energy that kept the children giggling. Their performances kept both kids and adults engaged the whole way through.
Overall, The Jolly Postman is a wonderfully crafted show that knows exactly how to capture a child’s imagination. Its mix of storytelling, humour, and hands-on fun makes it a joyful experience for families. The friends’ children I attended with absolutely loved it, laughing and smiling from beginning to end. It’s the kind of show that leaves children feeling happy, inspired, and already asking when they can see it again.
If you’re looking for a live theatre experience that’s thoughtful, fun, and perfect for kids, The Jolly Postman is a must-see and I give it a highly recommended 5/5, especially if you have young children who love the original Jolly Postman books.
The Jolly Christmas Postman is on at the Royal & Derngate theatre until Tuesday 31st December. Tickets can be purchased either from the theatre box office, or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
Tickets are priced from £12.00-£22.00.
Photo Credit: Robert Day
Rating: 5/5