IF the bangs, boos and baddies of traditional pantomime have your youngsters quivering in their stockings, then a trip to see the utterly charming The Night Before Christmas in Salisbury Playhouse’s smaller Salberg Studio makes the perfect festive theatrical treat.

This beautifully sung new musical, devised by Gareth Machin and Glyn Kerslake, builds a delightful story around the 1823 poem (published anonymously and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore) which radiates heartwarming Christmas cheer.

Within seconds the audience of preschoolers was spellbound – although there’s plenty of music and magic in this production to appeal to older siblings and parents too.

The cast of four takes us from Christmas Eve to Christmas morning and although we get to meet the big man in red, this gentle and nostalgic show is a far cry from the commercialised scramble for plastic gadgets and gizmos that Christmas has become.

Packed with original songs, beautifully conceived special effects and just the right amount of audience interaction this is a classy and stylish counterpoint to the noise and mayhem of panto.

The intimate Salberg studio almost felt like a snow globe with an ingenious set and engaging performers trapped inside with their captivated young audience.

Make sure you add tickets to your Christmas list!

REVIEW BY JILL COWLING