Stage Central Theatre Arts Harrogate

I was lucky enough to be invited last week to the Fraser theatre in Knaresborough to see and review “A Winters Tale”, the first production from the theatre school Stage Central. This new venture, run by Darren Roberts (a former professional actor) is a term time school open to youngsters aged 6-16 who receive coaching in drama, acting, song and dance. The school aims to develop skills and confidence as well as to just have fun.

It’s that time of year when Christmas plays, pantos and nativities are staged with varying degrees of gusto and talent in school halls and churches up and down the country. With all due respect to these productions unless your own son or daughter is Mary, Joseph or third shepherd from the left they can be a bit sentimental. It was certainly surprising then, that not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, at certain points in the production I found myself sniffling along with the best of them!

It was enjoyable not just because of the fantastic youngster’s performances, but also because it managed to steer clear of the more predictable and somewhat limited traditional nativity and instead focused on a more modern moral interpretation of Christmas. It used contemporary dance and music along side classic favourites. In short, it was enjoyable because it was different and because it was done well.

The story began with some enchanting music and the curtains partially opened to give a glimpse of the imaginative world we were about to enter, a charming Christmas tree where children dance as clockwork toys, teddy bears, robots and fairies amongst others. They push the curtains aside and leave us with the familiar scene of three children writing Christmas lists. Mum asks them not to expect too much, as their father is not working. They react angrily and decide their parents don’t love them anymore so Jack, Holly and Robin runaway to find a better Christmas elsewhere. What then unfolds is an original and moving journey in which the children try to find their way home, both literally and metaphorically.

This production takes you through a plethora of sound and vision wherein we are shown Christmas’ s past, present and future, each symbolised by three wonderfully gothic guides reminiscent of Scrooge. From becoming lost in the Deep Forest (as dark and fearful as those trees you remember from the wizard of oz) to seeing the lives of starving children elsewhere in the world, the story remains fresh and has universal relevance.

Highlights for me included a genuinely unexpectedly moving recital of “Where Is Love” by Kitty May Watson. (I could have wept like a baby but managed to keep some dignity!) as well as other individual singers Elisha Ainsley and Alice Coggan. The choreography (Paul Petty) was strong throughout whether it be group performances (the Deep forest Dancers, for example) or individuals- the little snow queen’s lovely solitary performance. The ensemble dance numbers were a real treat, particularly the Three Kings memorable performance to the gospel song “Praise You”.

The real beauty of this production though was that, like all good classic Christmas stories, it worked on many levels. This was a show for both adults and children, with the simple language and structure of a children’s fairy tale on the one hand, with the darker imagery and more subtle undertones of morality on the other.

Of course, there was a suitably happy and uplifting end to this production, concluding with up-beat dance numbers, flashing Santa hats and a veritable feast of Christmas carols.

This production had everything you could want from a Christmas play; a powerful and original story, a charming and talented cast, sparkling costumes, musical diversity (any one who can get me to enjoy Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas” gets my vote), with humour and pathos in equal measure.

It’s a real credit to all involved and anyone with children aged between 6 and 16 with a flair for the dramatic arts should take advantage of the creative team behind Stage Central Theatre Arts. Contact Darren Roberts on 01423 861463 or 07940 014448 for details. Oh, and have a merry Christmas!