Emma Rice's enchanting adaptation of Dylan Thomas's 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' is a heartwarming celebration of the magic that only Christmas can bring. The intimate, tiny theatre in Frome, converted from a church, sets the tone for an immersive experience where the boundaries between performers and audience blur. A mere five-strong ensemble, featuring pianist and four actors, conjures up a multitude of characters, filling each scene with a unique blend of hope and melancholy reminiscent of Thomas's poem.
As the performance unfolds, the atmosphere becomes increasingly festive, with the cast encouraging the audience to join in on carols and sharing family photos that feel like cherished mementos. The sense of community is palpable, echoing the communal gatherings Thomas's poem so poignantly captures.
The performers deliver outstanding performances, each one bringing a distinct charm to their role. Tom Fox shines as a clown, twisting his face into various contortions; Katy Owen narrates with unbridled passion and clarity; Robyn Sinclair's singing is marked by vulnerability; Ian Ross's songs effortlessly weave throughout the production; and Simon Oskarsson's trumpet playing freezes time.
While not flawless, the production feels intentionally imperfect – a trait befitting the complex, maddening nature of Christmas. The framing device about Thomas himself can feel forced at times, but this only serves to underscore the ephemeral, special quality that makes 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' so unforgettable. In its own tiny, snow-covered world, Rice's adaptation finds a way to balance darkness and light, love and loss, in a way that feels both profoundly moving and utterly captivating.
As the performance unfolds, the atmosphere becomes increasingly festive, with the cast encouraging the audience to join in on carols and sharing family photos that feel like cherished mementos. The sense of community is palpable, echoing the communal gatherings Thomas's poem so poignantly captures.
The performers deliver outstanding performances, each one bringing a distinct charm to their role. Tom Fox shines as a clown, twisting his face into various contortions; Katy Owen narrates with unbridled passion and clarity; Robyn Sinclair's singing is marked by vulnerability; Ian Ross's songs effortlessly weave throughout the production; and Simon Oskarsson's trumpet playing freezes time.
While not flawless, the production feels intentionally imperfect – a trait befitting the complex, maddening nature of Christmas. The framing device about Thomas himself can feel forced at times, but this only serves to underscore the ephemeral, special quality that makes 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' so unforgettable. In its own tiny, snow-covered world, Rice's adaptation finds a way to balance darkness and light, love and loss, in a way that feels both profoundly moving and utterly captivating.
what's the point of adapting some old poem into a theatre play? like, who cares about Dylan Thomas's "A Child's Christmas in Wales" anymore? 
i mean, i loved it too... when i was 12. is it still relevant today? does anyone actually remember what christmas is for if not just to watch a cheesy play 
. The intimate theatre setting really added to the magic of the performance, it felt so cozy and welcoming. I think what really made it special was how the cast would encourage the audience to participate, it created such a sense of community and belonging 
. And the performances? Absolutely stunning! Everyone brought their own unique energy to their role, from Tom's silly clown antics 
to Robyn's heartbreaking singing. What I loved most about this production was that it didn't feel perfect, but in a good way - like it was all a little bit imperfect and messy, just like Christmas itself 
. Overall, it was a truly unforgettable experience 
.
, I'm totally obsessed with this new production of 'A Child's Christmas in Wales'!!! It's like they took the magic of Thomas's poem and turned it into an immersive experience 
The tiny theatre setting is genius – it's so cozy and intimate, you feel like you're right there in the scene with them 
. I love how they encouraged us to join in on carols – it felt like we were part of the family too 
The only thing that kept me from giving it 10/10 was that framing device about Thomas himself can feel a bit forced sometimes, but honestly, it's a small price to pay for this level of heart and soul 
! The tiny theatre in Frome felt so cozy and intimate, like we were all snuggled up by the fire together. I loved how the performers blurred the lines between themselves and the audience – it made me feel like part of the family too 
! Tom Fox's clown antics had me giggling 
and Katy Owen's narration was just beautiful 
... Simon Oskarsson's trumpet playing gave me chills every time 
. And I have to give props to the whole production team for embracing the imperfections and quirks that make Christmas feel so... well, human 
. The cast is amazing - Tom Fox as a clown had me giggling uncontrollably 
. A few minor flaws here and there, but honestly, it felt like the imperfections were part of the charm - just like Christmas itself 
just saw the sad news about the polar ice caps melting at an alarming rate 
and it's really getting to me... did you know that the Arctic is losing 13% of its sea ice per decade? 
climate change is no joke, folks! 
i can imagine how magical it must feel watching it live, with the tiny theatre setting and all the performers coming together to create this special atmosphere 
️ what i love is how they balance out all these big emotions like love and loss with this sense of community and togetherness... it really does sound like an unforgettable experience 
... it really made me feel like part of something bigger than myself. The only thing that felt a bit off was when Thomas himself showed up, but honestly it just added to the whole 'magic of christmas' vibe 
. Still, I guess it's nice that they found a way to balance all those emotions and make it feel special. Maybe I'm just an old grump who prefers normal theatre seating 