Over the past 50 years, Christmas productions made at Sherman Theatre have introduced generations of children from across South Wales to the magic of theatre. Christmas at the Sherman always offers families across South Wales superb family entertainment that’s a little bit different. For its 50th birthday Sherman Theatre will stage fresh new takes on two classic stories in enchanting productions – Peter Pan and Hansel and Gretel.
In the Main House, audiences aged 7+ will be spellbound by Peter Pan, Catherine Dyson’s (Transporter Theatr Iolo, Thunder Road RedCape Theatre) new play with songs based on J.M. Barrie’s timeless tale. Peter Pan (27 Nov – 6 Jan) is a co-production with Theatr Iolo. This spectacular production is directed by Theatr Iolo’s Artistic Director Lee Lyford (The Wind in the Willows Sherman Theatre; A Christmas Carol Bristol Old Vic) and is supported by NoFit State Circus who have devised the flying sequences.
The cast for Peter Pan includes Emily Burnett (The Dumping Ground BBC; Hollyoaks E4) as Wendy, and Rebecca Hayes (To Kill A Mockingbird West End; Y Cylch Sialc Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru) as Peter. Sherman at Christmas favourite Keiron Self (Tales of the Brothers Grimm Sherman Theatre, My Family BBC), appearing in his ninth Sherman Christmas production, will play Mr Darling and Smee. Also returning to Sherman Theatre are Alex Murdoch (Dance to the Bone Sherman Theatre & Neon Candle; The Snow Queen Tobacco Factory & New International Encounter) as Hook, Rebecca Killick (The Wind in the Willows Sherman Theatre; Life of Pi West End) as Tiger and Peter Mooney who will shortly appear on the Main House stage in Housemates, a co-production with Hijinx, takes the role of John. The cast is completed by Owen Alun (Rownd a Rownd S4C; Pijin / Pigeon Theatr Iolo & Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru) as Tink, Kevin McIntosh as Michael (NoFit State Circus) and on stage Musical Director Lynwen Haf Roberts (Robin Hood, Beauty and the Beast Theatr Clwyd).
Joining Director Lee Lyford in the creative team are Designer Rachael Canning (Fleabag Theatr Clwyd; The Wizard of Oz Curve Leicester & London Palladium) and Composer & Lyricist Gwyneth Herbert (A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker Bristol Old Vic). Celebrating 25 years since his first design for Sherman Theatre, Ceri James (Imrie Sherman Theatre & Frân Wen; The Elves and the Shoemaker / Y Coblynnod a’r Crydd Sherman Theatre) is Lighting Designer for both Peter Pan and Hansel and Gretel. Ian Barnard is Sound Designer, following last year’s Tales of the Brothers Grimm and 2021’s A Christmas Carol in the Main House.
Lee Lyford said: “I’m hugely excited to be directing Peter Pan at the Sherman this Christmas. Sherman Theatre have a wonderful reputation for creating magical Christmas shows, so it’s an honour for Theatr Iolo to be co-producing this year’s show in the main house, as part of their 50thbirthday season and an honour for me personally to be directing another Christmas production here. Catherine Dyson’s version of this well-loved story will transport audiences to a world where anything can happen; where children are only limited by what they can dream up. For me, the most wonderful thing about theatre is its power to speak to hearts and minds of children and young people. Peter Pan has captured the imagination of generation, after generation, and I can’t wait to work with such an outstanding team of cast and creatives on this truly memorable Christmas show.”
In the Studio, Hansel and Gretel (3 – 4 Nov & 27 Nov – 6 Jan) by Katie Elin-Salt (Love (and Loss) in the Time of Corona TEN series Sherman Theatre, Celebrated Virgins Theatr Clwyd) is the perfect introduction to theatre for ages 3 -6. Hansel and Gretel is performed in an informal environment in English and Welsh at separate performances, with translation into Welsh by Branwen Davies (Snow Tiger / Teigr Yr Eira Sherman Theatre; Fleabag Theatr Clwyd). Filled with songs and laughter, this new version of Hansel and Gretel is the story everyone loves with an added delicious and delightful twist. The production directed by Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy (Tales of the Brothers Grimm, A Christmas Carol Sherman Theatre) offers the youngest theatregoers and their families wonder, enchantment and so much fun. Prior to its Christmas run of performances Hansel and Gretel will tour to Newport, Blackwood, Garth Olwg, Ystradynglais, Chepstow, Brecon, Penygraig and Barry.
Hansel and Gretel is performed by a cast of three actor-musicians. Elin Phillips (Alice in Wonderland, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Sherman Theatre) plays Gretel and James Ifan (Tales of the Brothers Grimm, A Christmas Carol Sherman Theatre) who will perform in Housemates this October plays Hansel. All other roles are performed by Mari Fflur (Consent Theatr Clwyd; Arth S4C and iPlayer).
Having delighted audiences with two successive Main House Christmas hits, Tales of the Brothers Grimm and A Christmas Carol, Joe Murphy (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Hero of the People Sherman Theatre) directs his first Under 7s Christmas show. His hugely successful Christmas at the Sherman partnership with Set and Costume Designer Hayley Grindle (Romeo and Julie Sherman Theatre & National Theatre, Iphigenia in Splott Sherman Theatre) continues following the success of Tales of the Brothers Grimm and A Christmas Carol. Lynwen Haf Roberts (Golygfeydd o’r Pla Du Theatrau Sir Gâr, Celebrated Virgins Theatr Clwyd is Composer and Musical Director. Ceri James (Imrie Sherman Theatre & Frân Wen; The Elves and the Shoemaker / Y Coblynnod a’r Crydd) is Lighting Designer. Alice Eklund is Assistant Director, this role is part of our Trainee Welsh Language Director initiative.
Joe Murphy said “In many ways Sherman Theatre’s bilingual Christmas production for ages 3 – 6 is one of the most important shows we produce each year. Every Christmas thousands of children get their first taste of the magic of theatre with the Studio show. I am therefore hugely looking forward to bringing Katie’s wonderful play to life and aware that it’s a real responsibility to give children an experience that will enthral them, an experience that will stay with them for many years. Working with this brilliant cast and creative team, I am excited to give children many memories to treasure this Christmas.”