Magdalena Walker
(2 Reviews)

A cosy festive treat at Waterside

This weekend we headed to Waterside Arts Centre for its seasonal staging of Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas — and what a lovely way to begin the Christmas period. There’s something about Waterside that always puts us at ease — it has that friendly, welcoming buzz where families feel instantly at home, like you’ve stepped into a space designed with little imaginations in mind.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes rang out, we — and especially my five-year-old — were enchanted. The performance from Marcus Hendry as Father Christmas struck just the right balance of grumpy mood and soft-hearted warmth; more than once I glanced over to see wide eyes, then a full-throated laugh as soot-covered chimneys, stubborn reindeer and cheeky pets unfolded on stage.

The live music, performed by Grace Liston, and the atmospheric sound-effects added a layer of wonder — and my child was mesmerised to discover that the same person making reindeer footsteps or snow crunching was visible right on stage. It felt like a mini theatre-lesson for curious young minds as much as a Christmas story.

The brief, 55-minute runtime kept things perfectly pitched to a child’s attention span, and the mix of puppetry, music and storytelling created just enough whimsy without ever feeling overwhelming. Waterside has delivered a delightful festive experience that felt both gentle and magical — the kind of show that reminds you why Christmas theatre exists. If you’re after an inviting, warm, family-friendly introduction to the holiday season, this Father Christmas is a lovely start.