Santa to the rescue at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre

Published: 26 November 2020
Reporter: Steve Orme

“Festive fun”: Santa’s Christmas Rescue

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is to host live performances of Santa’s Christmas Rescue, the latest in an interactive series by Imagine Theatre aimed at children aged between two and seven.

Santa’s Christmas Rescue is written by a veteran children’s entertainer Iain Lauchlan who will also appear in the show as Father Christmas. Best known as the Belgrade’s regular panto writer, director and dame, Lauchlan has worked for more than 40 years on family productions for the stage and screen, creating the BAFTA-winning series The Tweenies, as well as working on a number of popular TV series including Playschool, Playdays, Fingermouse and Fun Song Factory.

Running at about 40 minutes, Santa’s Christmas Rescue is “filled with familiar songs, laughter and lots of festive fun”. It has been adapted for the Belgrade’s main stage to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Steve Boden, managing director of Imagine Theatre, said, “as pantomime producers, we’re gutted not to be able to deliver the traditional Christmas panto for families this year. But we know how important live entertainment is, so we felt it was incumbent on us to try to get some live theatre on stage this season.

“This production of Santa’s Christmas Rescue promises to be a fantastic little production, perfect for youngsters’ first introduction to theatre and for family bubbles who want to enjoy the magic of Christmas with Santa.”

Santa’s Christmas Rescue runs at the Belgrade from Thursday 10 until Thursday 24 December, with a filmed version available if in-person performances are unable to take place.

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