A unique Christmas crisis... requires a unique Christmas event.
SANTA
THE VISIT
Directed and Choreographed by
CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD
LIVE AT THE CENTAUR
Cheltenham, December 19-24
Santa News Report
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN ...No, he really is!
A message from Craig
“Darlings, I am beyond thrilled to be teaming up with the one and only Santa Claus this December at Cheltenham Racecourse! Christmas is in a spot of bother – but never fear, because with a little theatrical flair, some Strictly-style sparkle, and a sprinkle of festive magic, we are going to save it together.
Santa – The Visit is not just another meet-and-greet, oh no. It’s an immersive, musical, magical adventure where families will step into Santa’s world and become part of the mission to rescue Christmas spirit itself. Expect music, characters, laughter, and more than a few surprises along the way.
I can’t wait to welcome you all, big kids and little ones alike to join Santa and his elite elves, on this extraordinary festive journey. It will be nothing short of… fab-u-lous!”
THE VISIT
WHAT'S HAPPENING
From December 19th-24th Cheltenham’s Centaur is to play host to a very high-profile guest.
For the first time ever, Santa is making an unprecedented pre-Christmas journey from his base in the North Pole to visit the UK…and he needs your help.
WHY IS HE COMING?
The chiefs at GCHQ (who it turns out have always been monitoring Santa!) have picked up a rogue signal that appears to be disrupting Christmas spirit and, as we all know, the sleigh runs on Christmas spirit, so they grabbed their Santa hotline and let him know.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Someone or something in the area is causing spirit levels to drop to a worrying level and, with Christmas eve’s present-giving journey now in jeopardy, he’s assembled a group of his elite elves from the F.I.A. (Festive Intelligence Agency) and is heading to Cheltenham to save Christmas.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Santa and his elves can’t do this alone. The F.I.A. is recruiting temporary agents to lift Christmas spirit and needs Santa-loving children and their families in the area to sign up and come along.
This is no 'Garden Centre' Santa. It's the big man himself and he needs your help!
TICKETING INFORMATION
HALF TERM SPECIAL
KIDS GO FREE!
Bring up to two children for FREE with every full-paying adult ticket. Offer ends November 3
Santa-The Visit is a fab-u-lous is a brand new, festive theatre production, directed by the brilliant Craig Revel Horwood.
Christmas spirit is mysteriously in free fall, Santa’s sleigh power is dropping and Christmas Eve’s present-giving mission is now in jeopardy!
This unique Christmas crisis calls for a unique Christmas event. A visit from Santa!
Helping him in his task are his elite elves from the F.I.A. (Festive Intelligence Agency) who’ve been instructed to recruit Special Agents from the children in the area.
Now, with your help, it’s time to figure out what (or who!) is causing the problem and get Christmas back on track!
Packed with fun, music, dance and lots of Christmas silliness, Santa-The Visit is a family-friendly Christmas treat not to be missed!
FAQs
THE DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
Craig Revel Horwood
Director & Choreographer
Craig Revel Horwood is a household name having appeared as a Judge on all 22 series of the hit BBC One entertainment show, Strictly Come Dancing. He also both directs and appears in the annual Strictly Come Dancing Live arena tour, created the touring show Strictly Confidential and is Head Judge on Dancing with the Stars Australia, having previously judged Dancing with the Stars New Zealand.
Craig started his career as a performer in musical theatre in his home country of Australia, moving to London to appear in many West End musicals including Miss Saigon and Crazy for You.
After many years, he returned to the West End starring as Miss Hannigan in Annie, which he also successfully toured around the UK on three occasions. He played the Wicked Witch of the West in the UK tour of The Wizard of Oz.
He has starred in pantomime every year for Crossroads Pantomimes, with roles including the Wicked Queen in Snow White, Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella.
Craig’s work as a director and choreographer has included productions of The Witches of Eastwick and Copacabana (Watermill Theatre Newbury), Fiddler on the Roof (national tour), Chess (UK tour and Toronto), The Hot Mikado (national tour), and Sunset Boulevard, My One and Only, and Spend Spend Spend (West End). Craig received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Choreography for My One and Only and Spend Spend Spend. Craig has also choreographed several musicals and operas in Europe, choreographed Paradise Moscow (Opera North), and created work for the Ballet Boyz. In 2022/23 Craig directed a new production of the musical Strictly Ballroom starring Kevin Clifton. He also directed this year’s national tour of the new musical, Now That’s What I Call a Musical.