We all remember our first letter to Santa but who wrote the first letter? Kringle is a new Christmas production brought to the stage by Printers Playhouse in Eastbourne. It arrives at the Birley Centre on 16th and 17th December.
Jack, a failing trainee postman, is shaken from his cosy life with a comfortable bed and cappuccinos and despatched to the cold, clan-warring, Christmas-hating isle in the outermost Outer Hebrides to set up a postal service all by himself. All seems hopeless until he meets fishmonger Anna and an old woodsman, Nick Kringle and then ….. well, that would spoil the story.
The cast, design and technical crew are all drawn from the local community and are taking part for their ninth year but face the worry that this might be the last.
On 3rd November the Creative Excellence of Printers Playhouse was celebrated in the annual Eastbourne Business Awards. Huge recognition of what an independent arts community can achieve and highlighting what the Printers means to Eastbourne as a whole. The very next day it’s future was thrown into doubt with the battering it took from the storms. An emergency rescue fund has been established to put the damage right but is short of what is needed to secure its future.
Viv Berry, director and producer commented, “The community came together to support us through the pandemic and we are so moved that, as in our play, there are Jacks, Annas and Nicks coming together again now in our time of need. Eastbourne has a wealth of talent at all ages for acting, singing and dancing and we are privileged to be able to nuture and showcase this. We are working tirelessly to make sure we can continue.”
Willow Dzendzera, aged 9 who plays Neive, Nick Kringle’s leading elf, said “I love being part of the show, learning and performing at the same time. The rehearsals are hard work and good fun and the show will be great.”
Written by local writer John Berry, John said “The recent Business Award shows that Printers Playhouse stands out in Eastbourne as a hub for performing high quality new writing. Standards are high and that passion carries over into our community show.”
The show has matinee and evening performances on both the 16th and 17th December at the Birley Centre on Carlisle Road, Eastbourne and there are discounts available for group bookings. This year too there are sponsorship packages for businesses – helping a fantastic local group and providing a pre-Christmas treat for their team. Viv added: “For more details of our festive show, visit www.pph.onlineticketseller.com, pop in and see us on Grove Road or email us at info@printersplayhouse.co.uk. We would love to hear from prospective sponsors too.”
Call 01323 301333.
Printers Playhouse is a live music, creative arts and theatre venue on Grove Road, Eastbourne. For further information contact info@printersplayhouse.co.uk