The Santa Claus Show ’24 was first performed in 1991 by the Tim Bray Theatre Company, and it’s a special farewell performance this summer.
Not for Santa Claus, but tragically for Tim Bray. Just before the opening performance of this season, we received the news that Tim was undergoing chemotherapy for the sudden appearance of an aggressive cancer.
Bray wrote the original play, basing the two main pre-teen characters Kelly and Alana on his young nieces.
This afternoon Bray’s sister, a board member of the company, and mother to those girls, delivers a tribute and a brief history of the origins and progression of Auckland’s leading theatre company for children.
Of course it is not how long you live, but the life you pack in to your time, as former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key observed recently regarding Nikki Kaye’s passing away.
In that sense the Santa Claus show is a triumph and a great legacy for the Tim Bray Theatre Company.
As if by alchemy, all the blues and cynicism of Christmas that adults can carry is banished inside the historic Pumphouse Theatre.
It is the keen awareness and non-judgemental energy of children that fills the space, as a score of them open the show with stage bows.
Dylan Underwood is back, from last year, as Elfie. He is still channelling Jim Carrey in his elastic face and comedy timing. Not scary like the Grinch, not as loony as Dumber Dumb. Somewhere in the middle.
Spoilt little mean girl in the making Kelly (Phoebe McKellar) and bossed-around best friend Alana (Rebecca Ansell), excel in the opening routine as they play out the Nativity story in the fashion of Fawlty Towers.
That’s clever. Kelly does the irritated and rude Basil, putting up with increasingly outlandish visitors to the Inn. Alana plays everyone else and possibly acts as the …Manuel character.
The children all know that Kelly will be taught the true spirit of giving. This is telegraphed early when friend Ruby is denied a balloon because the dad cannot afford it.
The costuming is meticulous. The mail elf (Matilda Chua) wears a merry-go-round skirt.
The stage design has bright Pop Art pastel cartoon tones. It may be as basic as Play School, but it is closer to award-winning children’s show Pee Wee’s Playhouse.
There is some of the naïve child-like comedy genius of Paul Reubens buried in this production.
The transition to the North Pole is signalled by Kelly’s bed turning into a magic carpet ride.
Come along with me little girl sang John Kay from Steppenwolf. On a cloud of sound I drift into the night.
The original Christmas music was written by Christine White.
The appearance of the man himself is greeted by a huge cheer, as he materialises first from the Gods.
Santa’s not fat. He’s just got big bones.
Kelly is overwhelmed, but not to the point of speechlessness. Still bossy in that she tells Santa there will be no (craft) beer, but instead carrot juice. You don’t want to drink and drive!
Of course, Prancer is the autopilot permanently switched on. He produces lots of emissions though. Santa understands science and he’s not stupid.
Neither are children and they can bask in the spirit of Christmas better than adults. Promises of gifts are a form of bribery which has unintended consequences of entitlement.
Mythology of Christmas has deep and ancient Pagan roots and is threaded through eastern and western cultures. An omnipotent figure bringing largesse is one of many paths.
I like the Robot Santa from Futurama, who is programmed to see most as naughty, and not nice.
I’m not sure that Tim Bray’s Santa Claus show has been produced every year since 1991. The Lockdowns would have stopped a few.
It has earned perennial status like the legendary Phil Spector Christmas Album.
The best Christmas music, period. First released just after the JFK assassination of November 1963 when the world was in shock. It has remained a best-seller ever since.
The Santa Claus Show from Tim Bray Theatre Company is also timeless.
Rev. Orange Peel
The Santa Claus Show ’24
By Tim Bray
Songs by Christine White
1 – 22 Dec 2024
Created for Ages: 3 – 8
Show Run Time: 60 mins (no interval)
The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna
Tickets and more information HERE.
