“We are so excited about seeing our audiences again over Christmas, because we’ve really missed them all. We can’t wait to see them again.”
So speaks Creation Theatre‘s Lucy Askew, who can scarcely contain her excitement at this year’s festive offering The Tale of Beauty and The Tail of The Beast at The North Wall.
“IT’S A BIT LIKE ‘THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG’ CROSSED WITH A MAGICAL FAIRYTALE”
Last year sadly Creation‘s wonderful yuletide show Pinocchio closed after the opening night due to Covid, a devastating but all too familiar story read about it here, so this year the team are champing at the bit to get back out there and spread some Creation magic.
“We want to reconnect audiences with the magic of theatre and create some real Christmas joy, so it’s a case of go big or go home,” Lucy says.
“We want to reconnect audiences with the magic of theatre and create some real Christmas joy”
Hence The Tale of Beauty and The Tail of The Beast, written by Paul Boyd, based on the original book published in 1740, but recounted by a chaotic 18th century travelling theatre troupe.
“It’s a bit like The Play That Goes Wrong crossed with a magical fairytale,” Lucy explains.
“We just wanted to go back to some lighter sillier moments and have fun with this year’s show after the pandemic, so Paul’s script fitted perfectly,” director Natasha Rickman agrees.
people really need to come out this Christmas if they want local theatre companies to be here this time next year
Originally performed in 2007 at The Lyric Theatre in Belfast, Paul has updated the show specially for Oxford this year. “We read through Paul’s new draft and realised how perfect it was for Creation. He just has this real gift and inventive ability to tell the story in layers,” Natasha adds.
“The music really stands out and the script’s originality, anarchy and comedy shine through so expect comedy chaos,” Lucy promises. “Plus we love performing at the North Wall and have an amazing cast which includes Delvene Pitt, Emily Woodward, Anna Tolputt, Kofi Dennis and Nicholas Osmond.
“I DON’T THINK PEOPLE REALISE HOW INTRINSIC OUR AUDIENCE IS AND HOW MUCH WE VALUE THAT RELATIONSHIP“
“Suitable for everyone then? “We always say we make family shows not children’s shows,” Lucy smiles, “so there’s nothing outrageously rude or scary about it, but The Tale of Beauty and The Tail of The Beast does inevitably have some darker moments just by the nature of the story, although most of it is silliness and perfect for Christmas,” she reassures.
“It is a terrifying climate for theatre at the moment, but sales are going well. Christmas shows fund us for the rest of the year and are pretty critical, so people really need to come out this Christmas if they want local theatre companies to be here this time next year, and our audiences play such a part in that.
“But more than that, I don’t think people realise how intrinsic our audience is and how much we value that relationship. We’ve got to know them so well over the years so we can’t wait to see them.”
The Tale of Beauty and The Tail of The Beast at The North Wall runs from December 4 -January 7 2023 at 10am, 2pm, 6pm & 7.30pm. Age guideline 5+. Book at https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/beauty-and-the-beast/
