A new and exciting project is on the agenda for London based producers Paul Holman Associates as, instead of the traditional pantomime, the award-winning team have been asked to present a new style of production this year at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing. With the aim of entertaining and enthusing families of all generations, a mouth-watering feast of festive cheer is now set to take audiences on a magical snow-capped adventure in Santa Claus, The Musical.
The dazzling and glittery Christmas show had its world premiere at the Mayflower Theatre in 2005 to huge public acclaim and critics calling it ‘the finest Christmas show ever seen’. Santa Claus, The Musical has gone on to entertain thousands of people from Southampton to Singapore and is now set to dazzle and delight in Worthing.
Packed with Christmas classics everyone knows – including Jingle Bell Rock, Here comes Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Santa Claus, The Musical is a hand-clapping, toe-tapping, sing out loud feel-good show from start to finish.
Producer Paul Holman said: “It’s a magical show everyone of every age can enjoy with iconic characters we’ve all grown up with, plus some new ones, and Christmas songs we all know and love, delivered by a live band.
There are several story lines to keep the pace of the show moving along – Christmas could be cancelled, Santa is no longer friends with Jack Frost and the Ice Queen, and there’s even a touching love story to melt the meanest of hearts. With spectacular scenery and special effects, the Pavilion will become the North Pole where audiences are taken on a sleigh ride with Rudolph and his reindeer chums to a winter wonderland where we’ll meet some fabulous new characters, such as Santa’s personal assistant Ms Drift; Joe, who is head of all the elves; and Jenny, and her daughter Anna.
West End superstar Claire Sweeney is set to razzle, dazzle when she stars as The Ice Queen. The much loved star has won a legion of fans across the world with her talent packed performances to sell-out theatre audiences and her many successful television programmes, which have kept her constantly in the limelight.
Claire’s career began in the now famous Liverpool cul de sac of Brookside, after training at the Italia Conti Stage School but it was probably her appearance on the first Celebrity Big Brother that catapulted Claire into the nation’s hearts. A starring role as Roxie Hart in the West End revival of Chicago followed, to great critical acclaim, which led to further West End appearances, including playing opposite Patrick Swayze in the award-winning production of Guys and Dolls, along-side Matthew Kelly in the title role of Educating Rita and in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Tell Me On A Sunday.
Claire also toured the country in the smash-hit musical Legally Blonde and has travelled the world in the much acclaimed Fosse, The World Tour. Away from her hugely successful theatre career, Claire has established herself as a firm favourite with television audiences with her fiery character Katrina in the award-winning drama Clocking Off, Roz in the hit drama Merseybeat and Amanda in the comedy drama Candy Cabs. Claire has been a regular on Loose Women, presented 60 Minute Make Over and Here Comes the Sun, to name just a few.
Producer for Santa Claus, The Musical, Paul Holman, said: “Claire has performed all over the world with some of the biggest names in show-business, duets with José Carreras and Bryn Terfel at The Royal Albert Hall, danced with Patrick Swayze, had a chart-topping album and appeared in so many successful television series.
I’m very excited Claire is now coming to Worthing to star in this new Christmas show which is packed with so many festive, magical moments and musical numbers all the family will know and enjoy.”
The Pavilion Theatre will be transformed into the North Pole and families will discover why the Ice Queen has joined forces with Jack Frost, on a mission to stop Santa, and to destroy Christmas for everyone. Spectacular scenery and colourful costumes will create a fairytale winter wonderland as a host of colourful characters, from Santa’s personal assistant Ms Drift and Chief Elf Joe, join together with dancing penguins and polar bears, in this snow-capped adventure.
As with the traditional pantomime at the Connaught Theatre, Paul Holman Associates and Worthing Theatres are making this year’s Pavilion Theatre Christmas show, Santa Claus, The Musical open to even more groups and families within the community with a designated ‘relaxed performance’ for children and people who may not be comfortable in a traditional theatre setting.
Theatre lighting, special effects and sound levels can sometimes be unsettling so the performance of Santa Claus, The Musical on Friday 3 January at 2pm will be adjusted to reflect the needs of the audience.
Santa Claus, The Musical explodes onto the Pavilion Theatre stage from 11 December 2013 until 5 January 2014 and tickets are available from Worthing Theatres (01903 206 206) or online (www.worthingtheatres.co.uk)