It’s a longish-standing tradition that I go out of my way to avoid all the commercial hype surrounding the silly season. I avoid malls and have been known to leave shops playing Jingle Bells over the speaker system. Not going as far as bah-humbug stuff – just not wanting to buy into it, in the strict sense of the verb. 

It’s a good thing, then, that the rest of the audience at the Pumphouse is clearly right in the mood for something titled The Santa Claus Show. I take note of the smiles, the laughter and high expectations among the seated patrons, and adjust my misgivings. Some of the smaller ones have come in festive dress – they’re rewarded with applause as they parade onstage before curtain-up, and take a bow. Their pride is obvious and infectious. 

The show begins with two girls, Kelly (Georgina Silk) and Alana (Holly Osborne), rehearsing Kelly’s version of a nativity play – notably short on the spirit of the season. A scene at a shopping mall introduces the ‘message’ of the show, which becomes clearer when the two write to Santa sending very different requests. Though the pair send traditional pen on paper letters, we learn later that others these days are more up-to-date, employing popular social media. 

After that the fun starts, with a flying bed and a trip to Santa Central at the North Pole, controlled by the irrepressible Elfie, played by Hayley Dallimore, whose exuberance brings so much vitality to the show. Santa (Himself, alias Tim Raby) is just as he should look, and we find he can sing too! Several of the cast play more than one part; Tim Raby also appears as Kelly’s Dad. That’s sort of appropriate when you think about it.

The antics at Santa Central are of the pantomime “Where-is-she?” – “Look-behind-you!” style. There are life-sized toys and an errant reindeer (Max Johnson, Holly Osborne, Jen Gregory-Lyon, Joey Addison), and two tiny elves who threaten to steal the show by their sheer joy at performing. Those of the audience under eight years old are fully involved, as their delighted shrieks prove. 

Most of the songs included are original to the production, with a few being more familiar. The invitation to the audience to join in singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer produces a surprisingly harmonious result – thanks largely to the keyboard skills of Andy Manning who also provides incidental music.

The scenery is simple, with the highlight being the scene where Santa’s sleigh is shown against the night sky. Let your imagination take over and the flight can seem quite realistic even though grounded. The technical skills of a good team of designers and crew ensures it all goes off without a hitch. 

The juniors who accompany me are older than the target audience. All the same, they respond to it positively, enjoying the interaction between stage and audience, and picking up on the message that went along with the fun. 

This show is becoming something of a tradition in its own right – this year it’s the 14^th production. Long may it continue.

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