Review: Hey! Christmas Tree, Minerva Theatre, Chichester

If only my new grand-daughter was a couple of years older! She would absolutely love Hey! Christmas Tree at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre.

Aimed at three to seven-year-olds this charming story is the perfect introduction to theatre for younger children.

In fact, it is something of a Christmas Miracle… in as much as it kept several hundred little ones quiet for the full hour!

From those on school outings to tots snuggled with a parent, every one of them was entranced by this delightful production in a homely, welcoming setting.

I’ll be honest – I had feared it could be noisy, even disruptive at times. Not a bit of it. Every child watched spellbound.

Based on an idea by renowned children’s author Michael Morpurgo and written by Vicki Berwick, it tells the heart-warming story of a Christmas tree (Nick Howard-Brown) rescued from a forest and given a home by motorbiking Mavis (Amanda Gordon) and Yulia (Olivia Arnold), a nine-year-old refugee.

Traumatised by the war she has fled, she is unable to speak but still builds a strong bond with the tree who has never had a Christmas and is unsure why he is wearing lights and tinsel. It’s a fair question!

But with love and care from Yulia and her cheeky cat Winston (Callum Balmforth), he grows tall and proud until Christmas comes around again, bringing the best present of all.

Hey! Christmas Tree carries an important message of acceptance, friendship and finding a home but it is so subtle that it gently educates rather than preaches. That allows the youngsters to enjoy this utterly enchanting piece at face value while absorbing a life lesson.

And there is so much for them to love from Eamonn O’Dwyer’s engaging songs to the touching script beautifully delivered by the five-strong cast.

But what makes it special is director Dale Rooks’ skill in varying the pace and content to ensure even the youngest members of the audience stay totally immersed.

With a beautiful stage setting, the play goes from mime to funny dialogue to on-stage antics and of course the obligatory appearance by Father Christmas as well as a snowwoman both played by Samantha Bingley.

If that were not enough to keep everyone engaged, there is a mid-show snowball fight giving youngsters the chance to get involved.

And at the end, the cast go into the audience to invite children – and some reluctant adults – to join them on stage for a dance.