Gloucestershire’s premiere entertainment venue, The Everyman Theatre, has confirmed the sponsor for its brand-new adaptation of the festive classic, The Elves and the Shoemaker (29th November – 4th January). Dean Close Airthrie, a local independent school, will be sponsoring this year’s brand-new Christmas Studio Show.
Dean Close Airthrie is part of the Dean Close Foundation, a growing and diverse family of independent schools and nurseries, which sponsored The Everyman Theatre’s 2023 production of The Ugly Duckling. The Foundation as it is today descends from the origins of Dean Close School in Cheltenham, which was founded in 1886 in memory of Dean Francis Close, Rector of Cheltenham and educational philanthropist. The Foundation currently has a community of five schools and six nurseries within its group, all of which share the ethos that every child should be given the opportunities to flourish, underpinned by core values of courage, contribution and love.
The Elves and the Shoemaker has been creatively adapted for younger children, especially those who may find the Everyman Theatre’s popular pantomime a little overwhelming. Running in the Irving Studio from Friday 29th November 2024 until Saturday 4th January 2025, this fun performance will follow the classic tale of the lonely shoemaker who gets more than they wished for, as two cheeky, but very helpful, elves take over their shop. With Christmas closing in they desperately need to sell more shoes! Late at night, using needles, thread, leather and a dusting of magic, the elves create the most wonderful shoes. This family-friendly performance features audience participation, stomping songs, plenty of silliness and lots of festive magic.
Dean Close Airthrie’s sponsorship will help to make ticket prices more affordable, and additionally, children from the school will collate gifts including colouring books and pencils, which will be taken to a number of children’s wards in local hospitals across the county, to be distributed to children who are spending Christmas in hospital.
Paul Milton, Creative Director at The Everyman Theatre, said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Dean Close Foundation and to be working with Dean Close Airthrie for the first time. Their sponsorship supports our goal to make live theatre as accessible as possible, by helping to keep ticket prices affordable and enabling us to provide a “relaxed” performance, specifically adapted for those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders and learning disabilities. The show is adapted in a variety of ways in order to reduce anxiety and ensure a safe and enjoyable live theatre experience. There is a relaxed attitude to audience noise, the lights remain on low, sudden loud noises are softened and there is a Chill Out Room, available for audience members who need a bit of quiet time before and during the performance.”
Jason Dobbie, Head of Dean Close Airthrie, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring The Everyman Theatre for the very first time with their upcoming production of The Elves and the Shoemaker. It’s an honour to be the lead partner for such a creative and exciting event, and we are eager to support the talented cast and crew in bringing this show to life. We want to extend our best wishes to the entire team for what we’re sure will be a series of unforgettable performances. We’re looking forward to experiencing the magic of the production and can’t wait to see it on stage!”
To find out more about The Elves and the Shoemaker at The Everyman Theatre, or to book tickets which cost £10, see: https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-elves-and-the-shoemaker/
To find out more about Dean Close Airthrie, see: https://www.deancloseairthrie.org.uk/
