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 2November, 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/ .
