Family Christmas shows light up the stage

Tim Bray in The Santa Claus Show. Photo / Supplied.

Christmas magic abounds on stage and in the streets this festive season, with a number of family shows planned. Mr Boon Saves Christmas, which opens this weekend at the Herald Theatre, plays on Saturdays and Sundays for the next two weekends then from December 18-24, with two shows daily.

Part-time teacher and comedian Mike Boon follows up his NZ Comedy Festival show, Mr Boon's Big Time Last Chance Kids Show, with a tale that begins when Mr Boon gets a call from Santa to say his reindeer are missing. What follows is an action-packed quest to find Santa's reindeer with a little help from a wonderful collection of characters. But his hunt is hindered by the evil llama Farmer Palmer.

Tim Bray Productions' annual Christmas play, The Santa Claus Show, takes centre stage at the Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna, from December 6-23, also with two shows daily. The play has a special place in Tim Bray's heart. He wrote it 18 years ago for his nieces and is thrilled new generations of children still love the story. "We have people who come back every year as part of the way they celebrate Christmas and that's a wonderful feeling for us."

The show tells the story of a young girl, Kelly, who has written the longest Christmas wish list that Santa has ever seen. Santa flies her to the North Pole so she can learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Performing in The Santa Claus Show has also become a tradition for some of the cast. This year, Tim Raby returns as Santa's double - his seventh time in the role - while Louise Harris is back as Kelly and young elf Maya Lamb, who played Twitty in 2006 as a 6-year-old, returns once more for the same role. Jonny Hair is new to the show this year, playing the key role of Elfie.

In Takapuna, at the Bruce Mason Centre, Phineas Phrog Productions chills out with Frosty the Snowman from Friday, December 17. As with all Phineas Phrog Productions, enthusiastic audience participation is encouraged.

Giant moas, hip-hop clowns and time machines will be on the streets of Auckland from December 18-23 as part of the Random Acts of Christmas street theatre festival. In its second year, the festival features interactive performances from Kiwi and British artists, including London's Cocoloco performance company.

Performance

What: Mr Boon Saves Christmas

Where and when: Herald Theatre, December 4-5, 11-12, 18-24, at 11am and 1pm

What: The Santa Claus Show

Where and when: Pumphouse Theatre, December 6-23, at 10.30am and 1pm

What: Frosty the Snowman

Where and when: Bruce Mason Theatre, December 17-18, 20, at 10am and 12pm

What: Random Acts of Christmas

Where and when: Auckland CBD, December 18-23Tim Bray wrote The Santa Claus Show for his young nieces 18 years ago.