Ellie & Starlight’s Christmas Adventure

Dazzling Delight

Ellie & Starlight’s Christmas Adventure

by Ken Mason

Stephen Leslie Productions at Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Walton until 24^th December

Review by Sadie Williams

Cecil Hepworth Playhouse finally received their turn to host the unlikely companions Ellie and Starlight, two much-loved characters who had previously trodden the boards at Hampton Hill Theatre to delighted audiences.  Now their adventures continue.

This year, Ellie and Starlight, played by Jessica O’Toole and Paul Thirkell, mesmerised young audiences with their comedy and fabulous songs.  Jake Alun also helped to set the mood with his delightful narration, another magical idea from the talented writer, Ken Mason.  Ken has now worked on four successful shows for Stephen Leslie Productions and his lifetime experience of theatre is plain to see.

Once again Ellie and her best friend Starlight the polar bear set off on another adventure, only this time they are heading for the North Pole to find Father Christmas.

This heart-warming magical Christmas story is a tale of a little girl’s determination to find Father Christmas and tell him that all the boys and girls in her village have had to move to a new place.  She must reach the North Pole before Christmas Eve or it will be too late and none of the children will get a Christmas present this year.   Ellie and Starlight embark on a difficult journey across snowy mountains where they meet lots of different animals on their way to the North Pole.  They even get the audience to help out.

This atmospheric and festive production is the perfect family fun show to foster the Christmas spirit.  It has spell-binding moments of magic and excitement which build to a climax, where there’s even a chance to see Santa himself … in Walton.

This festive adventure will bring pleasure to the whole family, helping to set the mood for Christmas and making it even more magical.

Sadie Williams, December 2023

Photography by Bomi Cooper