IT was well worth kicking off the festive season a little earlier than I normally would, for the chance to catch the start of this year’s truly delightful offering from Prescot’s Imaginarium.
Their Father Christmas Storytime sees their bespoke roundhouse venue transformed into a beautiful, warm and cosy traditional grotto space, crammed with giant nutcrackers, bunting and trees; and if I didn’t know better, Santa looks a bit like Gav Cross, who you might know from the Funny Looking Kids comedy club and many a storytelling event. But surely not!
Father Christmas knows how to entertain a crowd, joking with the children, incorporating willing volunteers into his tales and keeping the audience rapt for the duration - and it really is a joy. Children can meet him for pictures after the show and the fresh popcorn and candy floss available before entry is a really lovely touch.
This is a theatrical performance, so note there’s no gifts for the children like in a commercial grotto, nor any gaudy souvenirs to be had - that’s not the point here and it’s very much to the credit of Imaginarium that they are offering something much more enriching than that. There’s heart and soul to spare, and the attention to old-fashioned detail is just lovely to behold.
As we get ready to make up for the Christmas we missed last year, there’s no shortage of festive shows and events on offer. But for a genuinely feel good holiday treat, this is a community effort that creates an atmosphere that would be really quite hard to beat.
For dates and tickets, see www.Imaginariumtheatre.co.uk.
