Review of The Jolly Christmas Postman at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

The Northampton Royal and Derngate have a tradition of producing a family play in the Royal Theatre alongside a spectacular pantomime in the Derngate, offering a more subtle Christmas treat for a family audience. However, this calendar staple has been missing since 2019, when the fine Pippi Longstocking graced the Royal stage and an unmentionable virus reared its head. Based on this triumphant return this year in the guise of The Jolly Christmas Postman, it has been heartily missed.

Adam Peck has truly lovingly adapted The Jolly Christmas Postman for the stage from the original story by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. From the beginning, this is a proper cracker of theatre entertainment that captivates an occasionally distractable audience of all ages. The story follows the adventures of a friendly postman beset by an influx of mail on Christmas Eve and his adventures with an assortment of Fairy-Tale characters.

What is, in essence, a kid's show aimed primarily at young children and their families manages to turn into a truly magical piece of theatre. If you love theatre and the world it can create, you will find much to cherish in The Jolly Christmas Postman. Director Jesse Jones, alongside an incredible job in the creative team, pulls out all the theatre stops in our journey from the Three Bears home onto Toytown and the Gingerbread Boy in an incredibly well-realised scene. Finally, when we reach the big SC's secret hideout, the big reveal is an additional magic moment.

The cast is perfectly suited to the show, including the delightful Samuel Morgan-Grahame, who remains the kindly postman throughout and is very much Jolly by nature. His playful enthusiasm for the role and endearing performance charm the audience, young and old.

The rest of the cast of six brings to life an assortment of characters, including Jess Lobo's chav take on the reformed Goldilocks and Ellen Chivers as the very much broken, hospital-bound Humpty Dumpty. Elsewhere, we have Joseph Kempster's fabulous Gingerbread Boy, a creepy, mischievous Rumpelstiltskin, and Aaron Douglas as the dastardly Mr Wolf, who may or might not have become a reformed Wolf. Finally completing the cast is Dan McGarry, playing the big SC himself in a delightful finale.

A delightful, colourful set from Abby Clarke enhances The Jolly Christmas Postman. Dominated by envelopes and vibrant colours, it is a vivid treat, and its elaborate construction and design continue to thrill throughout the show via the houses of the characters the postman visits. Also, in the show, there is a peppering of catchy, often folky songs from Darren Clark, further enhancing the production and entertaining the audience.

The Jolly Christmas Postman is a delightful hour of theatre that surpasses the "kids" show moniker to make this an utterly magical piece of theatre to thrill those of all ages. Young or old, make sure this Christmas, you spend a fun and enchanting hour in the company of The Jolly Postman.

A magical hour of theatre able to charm an audience, both young and old.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Wednesday 11th December 2024 at the Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.

The Jolly Christmas Postman is on stage at Royal & Derngate until Tuesday, 31st December 2024.

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets, see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Photos: Robert Day

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