Family Night Before Gets Xmas at Ambassadors

Another children’s show will piggyback its way into the West End in time for Christmas. The Night Before Christmas – not to be confused with Anthony Neilson’s 1995 adult black comedy of the same name – will run at the Ambassadors Theatre for 33 daytime performances from 7 to 24 December 2010.

The new show, billed as “the magical Christmas show for all the family”, centres on a lovable but naughty elf who is busy in Father Christmas’ workshop wrapping all the presents for delivery … or is he? What’s he hiding? Is he secretly keeping some toys for himself.

The Night Before Christmas aims to teach ages two-years-and-up the true meaning of the holiday, through songs, poems and storytelling. Children will also “receive a free, special gift” and be able to meet Santa after the show and put their wish-lists into his post-box.

The children’s show will run concurrently with the Ambassadors’ main production, Stomp, which has been running at the theatre since September 2007 and is now taking bookings through to 19 December.

Other daytime, venue-sharing family-friendly offerings about to descend on the West End include: Peppa Pig’s Party, opening at the Criterion Theatre (home of The 39 Steps) in November; and Room on the Broom, opening at the Garrick Theatre (home of All the Fun of the Fair) in July.