Last Updated on 16 May 2024 by Colette
This post features gifted experiences
This Christmas, Oldham Theatre Workshop are back with a new magical family musical this Christmas at the super intimate Oldham Library Performance Space (and when I say super intimate, I’m talking a capacity of just 110 people).
If you have not been to the Oldham Library Performance Space yet, let me tell you it is a gorgeous little theatre tucked away in the back of Oldham Library. With comfy benches and a “sit where you like” seating plan, you are guaranteed a good view of the very small stage allowing you to feel fully immersed in the performance.
Watching the Oldham Theatre Workshop Christmas performance has becoming one of our favourite Christmas traditions and never fails help us feel that festive magic.
This year’s performance is a brand new story: The Wrong Reindeer
“A town where there’s nothing to look forward to. A donkey that wishes they were a reindeer and a child who can’t wish at all. As the winter sets in, and Christmas draws close, an unlikely friendship is formed, and an adventure begins that will remind everyone the true meaning of kindness.”
The Wrong Reindeer sees Lenni, who has had a decidedly tough start in life and therefore doesn’t feel able to believe in magic or wishes, develop an unlikely friendship with a donkey who, thanks to being mistreated by his previous owner, doesn’t even have a name but has ambitions of becoming a magical, flying reindeer . . .
Lenni lives with Ellen who is the loveliest of people but not very business minded and as such is at risk of loosing her beloved pub the Donkey and Crow. Whilst the Donkey and Crow is not a profitable business, it is a home and a welcoming space for the community, somewhere “there is always a light on” and where people will be welcome. Of course this doesn’t go down well with Mr Measly from the brewery because all he is interested in is money, leaving Lenni, Ellen and Jennings facing homelessness on Christmas Eve.
Amy and I both agreed that we were particular fans of Crow, who was very wise but desperate for a crow friend of his own. And the lovely Donkey’s facial expressions reminded us both of Mr Poppy from Nativity!
The story of The Wrong Reindeer is told through a mixture of puppetry, props and the very clever use of a very small stage – Amy loved the way the lighting was used to focus your attention on what was happening and I loved the fact that all the music and sound effects were being performed live just off stage. And I cannot speak highly enough of the cast – of the way the adult performers seamlessly moved between roles, of the children who played the mice and the piskies. There is something very, very special about Oldham Theatre Workshop.
I don’t want to tell you too much about the story as it would spoil it, but I will tell you that there is of course a happy ending, in fact several happy endings – the first of which gave me goosebumps and brought a tear to my eye.
This is a story packed with humour, hope and magic – one which teaches us to take chances, to make wishes and to have a strong, brave and true heart. One which will leave you filled with warm fuzzy feelings and Christmas magic.
The Wrong Reindeer runs from Friday 8th to Sunday 24th December 2023 and I absolutely recommend you book tickets now!
You can book tickets for The Wrong Reindeer online now at just £8 per person.
You can read our previous OTW reviews here:
and if you’re looking to see what else is on at the theatre this Christmas, have a read of this post next: Christmas theatre in Manchester this year.
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