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Enchanting spectacle that captivates hearts instantly
When I heard that The RSC were performing a Christmas show this year, I knew I had to get tickets. I’d not read the book before but we read the blurb about the show and me and the girls were instantly excited.
The Box of Delights is a children’s fantasy novel by John Masefield, which on the stage (writer Piers Torday) had a Harry Potter crossed with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe feel to it . The story follows Kay Harker (Callum Balmforth), a young boy who comes back home from boarding school for Christmas. After encountering a mysterious Punch and Judy man named Cole Hawlings (Stephen Boxer). Kay becomes embroiled in a magical adventure that had my girls gasping in awe numerous times.
Cole entrusts Kay with the Box of Delights, a magical box which has three different powers – you’ll have to watch the show to see what they are.
Amidst the magical escapades, Kay also faces danger and deception from the Wolves (a group of baddies) who are determined to get their hands on the Box of Delights.
The story is filled with mystery, action, and adventure as Kay tries to protect the box and save Christmas from the clutches of the nefarious Wolves led by sorcerer Abner Brown (Richard Lynch).
Watching The Box of Delights at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre was utterly magical. We (the audience) were transported into a whimsical realm where anything and everything was possible. We all came out of the theatre saying how impressive the performance was. The attention to detail in this performance was just, well… magical! I don’t want to spoil what happens with set designs and lighting, but I want to say how well it was executed and created and Tom Piper (designer) and Prema Mehta (lighting) along with the rest of the creative team are wizards of their own! Samuel Wyer may just be our favourite puppetry creator with his creations of Barney and Kay! Splendid work!
The cast were superb, with commendable performances from everyone. It is a really solid cast. But I’d not feel right if I didn’t take the time to highlight some stand-out performances. Callum Balmforth was tremendous. Playing the role of Kay and his grandfather and also being a puppeteer. He effortlessly moved between the roles. Stephen Boxer reminded me of Gandalf a number of times and gave solid performances in his roles as grandfather and Cole Hawlings and I think we all fell in love with the character Peter, played by Jack Humphrey. Jemima loved him so much, we purchased some cuddly toys from the shop and she has named hers Peter!
If you’re looking for an enchanting, Christmas evening out. This is the one for you.
Christmas carols, Christmas trees and magic. What more could you ask for on a dark, dreary winters evening.
The production is available to watch until 7th January 2024. There’s limited tickets for the next few evenings where you can get discounted tickets for as little as £10 each. But be quick.
The only problem with “Box of delights” was the involvement of guns throughout the production. A complete oversight which added nothing to an excellent production. What was the director thinking? It almost spoiled it for me. It is incomprehensible that any reference to guns was included.