The Christmas event includes an all star line-up including Ruth Jones, Rhys Ifans and Michael Sheen
'Cardiff-based Sherman Theatre, renowned for its Christmas productions, has announced that its festive season isn’t cancelled despite its doors remaining temporarily closed, and has revealed a star-studded Christmas line-up including Rhys Ifans, Ruth Jones and Michael Sheen.
The internationally-acclaimed actors will be appearing in the Sherman Theatre’s digital Advent Calendar, each making their own special appearance emailed directly to audience inboxes.
Michael Sheen, recently seen in Dad by Gary Owen which was released by Sherman Theatre during lockdown, and Sherman Theatre Patron Rhys Ifans will feature in special videos and audio performances for all ages whilst bestselling author, screenwriter and actor of Gavin & Stacey and Stella fame, Ruth Jones offers an additional Christmas treat for older audiences.
Alongside these performances, the Sherman Theatre Advent Calendar will also offer a host of festive treats including serialised audiobooks for the whole family to enjoy.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will be brought to life in a serialised audio book production performed by Hannah McPake (The Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland for Sherman Theatre). The audio book will be directed by Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy, with music by Claire Victoria Roberts.
Further performers announced for the Christmas poems and songs include actors Rakie Ayola, Mali Ann Rees, and musician Eädyth.
The Sherman is also offering a serialised version of The Elves and the Shoemaker / Y Coblynnod a’r Crydd by Katherine Chandler, with Welsh translation by Mererid Hopwood. From the team behind the theatre’s hit Christmas production The Ugly Duckling / Yr Hwyaden Fach Hyll, the audio series will be performed by Carwyn Jones and Gwawr Loader. Sara Lloyd will direct, with original music by Dyfan Jones.
Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy said: “We’re feeling so lucky and privileged to be in rooms – albeit digitally – to offer something incredibly special for Christmas. We could all use a pick-me-up at this time of year, and we’re so glad to be able to offer a fantastic Christmas package full of carols, magic, exciting guests and games.
“We hope our audiences enjoy the Advent Calendar, and even though we can’t be back in the building this Christmas we’re confident our audiences will still feel a welcome part of the Sherman’s Christmas celebrations.”
The Christmas announcement follows Sherman Theatre’s Heart of Cardiff audio theatre series, available to stream free at heartofcardiff.co.uk until 7 January 2021.
The Sherman Theatre Advent Calendar will be available to pre-order from 2 November, and will send a sprinkling of Christmas magic to inboxes every day throughout Advent. All audio and video content will be available to stream until 31 December 2020. To find out more and purchase an Advent Calendar for an early-bird price of £15, visit https://www.shermantheatre.co.uk/performance/theatre/advent-calendar/ .
From the Theatre:
Christmas at the Sherman is always a very special time of year. Christmas 2020 will be no exception even though our doors are temporarily closed. Every day throughout Advent we will be sharing festive fun and magic with our virtual Advent Calendar. It is simply bursting at its digital seams with treats for all ages. Every day we will send special digital content by email to enchant you and your family, offering you hours of entertainment throughout the month.
The Advent Calendar includes:
-Charles Dickens’ festive classic A Christmas Carol brought to life in a spectacular audiobook serialisation, full of carols and original music. A Christmas Carol is performed by Sherman Christmas favourite Hannah McPake (Chief Weasel in The Wind in the Willows and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland) and is directed by Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy.
- A fun, serialised audio version of The Elves and the Shoemaker | Y Coblynnod a’r Crydd from the team behind 2019’s smash-hit production The Ugly Duckling / Yr Hwyaden Fach Hyll. Katherine Chandler’s adaptation, with Welsh translation by Mererid Hopwood, is performed in both Welsh and English by Carwyn Jones and Gwawr Loader, with music by Dyfan Jones and is directed by Sara Lloyd.
- Treats aplenty with very special video and audio appearances from star guests including Rakie Ayola, Rhys Ifans, Ruth Jones and Michael Sheen.
- Enjoy delightful Christmas poems and songs performed by a brilliant line-up including Eädyth and Mali Ann Rees with more names to be announced.
- A whole host of activities, puzzles and games.
Christmas 2020 will still sparkle. Buy an Advent Calendar now and 24 days of wonder lie in store behind those virtual doors.
All audio and video content will be available to stream until 31 December 2020.
Buying an Advent Calendar as a gift? If you would like us to send an Advent Calendar to someone on your behalf simply buy your Advent Calendar and then email box.office@shermantheatre.co.uk quoting your Sale ID number and the email address you would like your calendar to be sent to.
Sherman Theatre’s staged productions of A Christmas Carol and The Elves and the Shoemaker / Y Coblynnod a’r Crydd are being re-scheduled to take place during the Christmas 2021 season.
Prices
Buy by 16 Nov for just £15 with our Early Elf price
Full price (after 16 Nov) £20
NHS workers £10 (Please email a photo of your ID to box.office@shermantheatre.co.uk after purchase as proof that you qualify for this discount)
