CHRISTMAS at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, promises a veritable feast of entertainment to suit all ages and tastes.
As well as visits with Santa Claus from Saturday, December 2, youngsters can enjoy toasting marshmallows and creating DIY Christmas nature craft for three consecutive weekends with Christmas Under Canvas in the community arts centre’s gardens.
Teesdale-based choir, No Added Sugar, perform Carols by Candlelight on Saturday, December 2, at 7.30pm, with special performances from Concordia and Canticus. Tickets cost £10.
On Monday, December 4, youngsters and their families are being invited to get into the Christmas mood – and their pyjamas – for a storytelling session with hot chocolate.
This is followed at 4.30pm by a screening of the family favourite film, Polar Express. Tickets cost £4 for adults, £2 for children, a family ticket (two adults and two children) costs £10.
Folk aficionado John Kirkpatrick takes a heart-warming look at the timeless rituals found in folklore and music of England at midwinter with his show, Carolling and Crumpets on Tuesday, December 5, at 7.30pm.
Peeling back the gloss of modern Christmas to reveal powerful pagan symbology in so many of our traditional songs and customs, the show is littered with toe-tapping tunes and a smattering of hilarious original songs.
On Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9, murder mystery fans will be asked to help solve the crime when The Turrets youth theatre group stage ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas.
Participants in the murder mystery evening, which includes a three-course meal, will enjoy lashings of laughter and a delicious festive crime to solve. Tickets cost £20 per person or £114 for a table of six.
This season there will be two pantomimes at The Witham – The Wizard of Oz and the Santamime, Santa Rocks, both of which are courtesy of Redcar-based theatre company, Tom Rolfe Productions.
Join Dorothy as she ventures down the yellow brick road from December 14 until 24, in The Wizard of Oz, which promises plenty of panto fun for all the family.
Members of Barnard Castle Band will serenade first night visitors with a variety of festive tunes as they arrive for the opening show.
Musical duo William and Julie, who entertained crowds during the arts venue’s summer festival, will move indoors for their two, one-hour winter performances on Friday, December 15, from 2.30pm and Sunday, December 17, from 2pm
Popular local group, the D’Ukes of Scarth will be donning their Christmas jumpers when they take to the stage on Saturday, December 16, at 2pm for the Ukulele Christmas Bash. As well as songs to join in with, they will be playing a variety of new and old Christmas tunes to get everyone into the spirit.
If you haven’t got into the festive mood by Monday, December 18, then grab a ticket to a different kind of pantomime when the big man in red takes to the stage with his magical “Santamime” Santa Rocks.
Jane Woodward, marketing officer for The Witham, said: “We’ve really tried to pull out all the stops for Christmas with a whole host of entertainment to provide something for everyone.”
She added: “Although there is a huge amount going on at The Witham this December, our venue is open all year round.
“Our gift vouchers make a perfect gift for a loved one and they can be redeemed against tickets, gifts from our shop and food in the cafe.”
The Witham box office is online, thewitham.org.uk or you can call 01833 631107.
