When Santa Fell to Earth: Review by Judy Norrish (From Somerset County Gazette)

When Santa Fell to Earth: Review by Judy Norrish

11:20am Wednesday 9th December 2009

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IT'S the festive season already, and I can think of no better way to get into the mood than to pop into the Brewhouse Theatre and relish the magic, mayhem and mirth all present in the play, ‘When Santa Fell to Earth.’

This show refreshingly evokes the sheer wonder of Christmas, as the Cast and Creative Team gave it their all.

Based on an intriguing story by Cornelia Funke, this adaptation tells the tale of the one, true Santa who fights hard to keep his true position in a world where some nasty power-ridden Goblynch’s have sought to usurp him, even to cancel his yearly delivery of toys and cheer to children all over the world.

However, the despairing Niklas Goodfellow is not to be beaten and with the help of two young local people, Ben and Charlotte, (Tom Wainwright and Natasha Godfrey) the reindeer Twinklestar, they all pull together to save the traditional Santa Claus and prevent him from being usurped by six other Santas who are working for the head Goblynch.

The performance gets into full swing with an inviting introductory song, and we are then lead into the caravan scene where our singing, sincere Santa is joined by his lively, comical elves, Rufflebeard and Fuzzbeard, (Joseph Carey and Simon Norbury) along with the singing angels Emmanuel and Matilda who all render their songs with obvious relish as they work hard to save the day for Santa.

There were some memorable scenes woven into this perfect show commencing with the seven Santas in full regalia, dancing and singing, or rather romping, their way through Taunton town on, displayed on a larger than life video backdrop.

This was followed by the disco scene in the department store where the townspeople executed a mesmerising disco routine where they all moved as one in time to the upbeat music. Members from Somerset College of Performing Arts turned into some energetic and colourful elves, resplendent in orange and purple, who danced their way effortlessly through the toy-making workshop scene, lead by the relentless Santa.

The final touch to this visually twinkling, sparkling night was the blizzard and snow scene set by the onstage lake, where the forces of good triumph over evil, whilst the snow storm off- stage was equally greeted with glee.

Directed by Robert Miles, produced by Craig Morrow, with music and additional lyrics by Nick Brace, this potent combination of talent and skill will undoubtedly keep Santa firmly on the earth and in the theatre this year.

* When Santa Fell to Earch will be shown at The Brewhouse until JAnuary 2. For tickets and more information call 01823-283244.

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