The Magic of Christmas comes to Fife and Pitlochry in joint theatre venture

With regular pantomimes and festive shows cancelled at theatres across the country this year, plans have been put in place in Fife and Pitlochry to ensure Covid-19 – unlike the Grinch – does not steal Christmas.

The team from OnFife, which runs theatres and museums across the Kingdom, has joined forces with Pitlochry Festival Theatre to bring The Magic of Christmas to their local communities.

The wonder-filled promenade Christmas event is an experience like never before and will run from November 27 to December 23 at the Pitlochry theatre’s campus and from December 3 to 20 at Carnegie Hall and gardens in Dunfermline.

The event promises to be a unique, sparkling and magical adventure to remember which is suitable for everyone, from babes-in-arms to the forever young at heart.

It will be brimming with story, music and surprise in a fully interactive, audio-visual journey to captivate all the senses.

And it has been carefully designed to be a safe, socially distanced, relaxed experience which is accessible for all.

As the journey begins, our favourite Christmas elves have a big problem!

The cheeky duo were playing football with Prancer, Dancer and Vixen and have lost the North Star!

With no North Star, how will Santa find his way to all the houses to deliver the presents this Christmas?

At both locations, audiences will be taken on a journey by these festive friends through the enchanting buildings and gardens, travelling to three joyful, festive-fun locations – the magical forest, Santa in Lapland and a trip into Space just in time to Wish Upon a Star.

Step through the super-sized Advent Calendar and discover what’s through the doors!

In order to achieve this live experience, the teams have focused on a walking format, indoors and outdoors, offering all of those feeling weary of isolation and months of restriction an opportunity to escape to new theatrical worlds.

‘Departures’ will take place throughout the day and evening, in small groups, exploring new realms in their one-hour adventure.

Visitors can be assured that Covid-19 protective measures, including extensive cleaning, a one way system, small socially distanced groups, hand sanitiser throughout the experience and appropriately themed PPE for all staff will be in place.

Elizabeth Newman, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s artistic director, said: “Christmas should be a time to get together; a time for escape and to look after others - a time for Light, Hope and Joy.

"We’ve all lost so much this year, but especially children – seeing friends, grandparents, going to school - and then with pantos and Christmas shows cancelling, Covid was taking away the joy and magic of Christmas too.

"We were determined, if there was any possible way, we wouldn’t let that happen!

“Together with our good friends at OnFife, starting from the point of safety and social-distancing, we envisioned then developed an experience that was affordable and accessible for everyone – both financially and physically – that would finally allow us to come together, be entertained, be excited, and look forward.

"Christmas is also a time for magical journeys. A time for gifts and a time to wish upon a star. And that’s absolutely what we are going to deliver.”

Verdi Clark, OnFife’s programme manager, added: “This year has given us all many challenges and here at OnFife we wanted to make sure our loyal theatre audiences are able to experience the magic and wonder of Christmas in style.

“Working with Pitlochry has given us this opportunity and we are so excited to be bringing The Magic Of Christmas to Fife in our beautiful art-deco Carnegie Hall and gardens.

"This wonderful experience is all about quality, family, fun and safety with enough Christmas sparkle for everyone, young and old.

“Join us from December 3 until December 20 to travel through space and time, explore what’s behind our 24 Christmas Doors and help the elves find that pesky star…they need your help!”

Tickets for The Magic of Christmas are £10 at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, and start at just £8 at Pitlochry.

Booking at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline is open from Friday, September 11.

To book call 01383 602302, email [email protected], or visit www.onfife.com

Booking at Pitlochry Festival Theatre is open now for the theatre’s Friends and Supporters, and opens to the wider public from Tuesday, September 22.

Visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

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