Tickets are on sale for Queenstown’s fun, family-friendly Christmas show, which once again provides a stage for the resort’s talented young singers, actors and dancers.
And this year ticket-buyers are being encouraged, if they can, to also buy a ‘gift ticket’ at the time of purchase to go towards five local charities.
This year’s production, comprising two shows at the Queenstown Events Centre on Sunday, December 11, is 12 Bells of Christmas.
It’s a reprise of the 2017 production but with some 2022 adaptations.
Following family tradition shared by Granny (played by Dana Hamilton), five children have the onerous task of collecting 12 bells to make Christmas happen.
Those five, Smarty, Rebel, Gloomy, Cutie and Freaky will be played, in turn, by Indy Hamilton, Charlie Pagan, Kuratea Huck, Tatum Hookey and Scarlett Hamilton.
Once again, director Lisa Clough and musical director Margaret O’Hanlon will interweave the heart-warming story line with popular songs and traditional carols, along with a few surprises.
Clough says she’s so far cast 35 children, aged eight to 18, who started rehearsals last Sunday – “it’s pretty exciting getting into Christmas in October”.
It’s “just awesome” working with the area’s youngest talent, she adds.
“They are so receptive to everything, they learn everything really quickly and obviously, with Chirstmas stuff, they are frothing.”
Also performing will be Silk & Circus aerialists, youngsters from Queenstown Gymnastics Club, Wakatipu Conservatoire of Classical Ballet and Devos Dance and, of course, the outrageously-talented Remarkable Men’s Ballet.
As mentioned, ticket-buyers have the option of buying an extra ticket, or tickets, for distribution to families in need across the district via Salvation Army, Happiness House, Baskets of Blessing,, The Buddy Programme and Wānaka’s Community Networks.
Clough calls this “a beautiful initiative”.
“That’s what the show is all about – the theme is giving and being with others, which is well needed after the last couple of years.”
The show’s funding partners are the local council and Community Trust South.
Council arts and events relationship manager Jan Maxwell, the show’s producer, cast and costume coordinator, says she’s “excited to be preparing for our 2022 Christmas show – almost as excited as the children in the show”.
12 Bells of Christmas, December 11, 1 and 5pm, Queenstown Events Centre, tickets from christmasshow.co.nz
