Anthony Neilson Writes Family Christmas Show for Royal Court Theatre

Get Santa!
Written and directed by Anthony Neilson, music by Nick Powell
Story by Anthony Neilson and Nick Powell
1 Dec 2010 – 15 Jan 2011
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court
Press Night 14 December 7pm

Anthony Neilson will write and direct the Royal Court’s first ever family Christmas show, Get Santa! The play will be for 7-year-olds and up and follows a ten-year-old girl, Holly, in her quest to find the perfect family, meeting a host of weird and wonderful characters along the way.

Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre said:
“One of the most exciting theatrical developments in recent years has been the explosion of quality work for children and families. I’m delighted that the Royal Court will be bringing its bold and contemporary sensibility to a family Christmas show this year. As one of our most inventive and imaginative theatre-makers Anthony Neilson is a natural choice for the job. I’m thrilled that he’ll be teaming up with composer and regular collaborator Nick Powell to bring a slice of festive anarchy to Sloane Square this Christmas with Get Santa! “

It’s Christmas Eve but Holly isn’t happy. All she’s ever wanted from Santa is to meet her real Dad for the first time. And every time, Santa’s failed to deliver, bringing lots of useless presents instead.

Well, Holly’s had enough. This year she has a plan. She’s going to wait up and trap Santa when he arrives and get from him the only present she’s ever wanted. But that’s only the beginning of the adventure: add in a very dim Elf called Bumblehole, a machine that changes Families and a Teddy Bear with an evil masterplan and you have the ingredients for a magical, musical and downright mischievous Christmas Show with a fresh moral.

Renowned for his pioneering, ground-breaking and imaginative new work, Anthony Neilson first worked at the Royal Court in 1993 writing and directing Penetrator. His subsequent work at the Royal Court includes Heredity, The Lying Kind and The Censor, which won the Writers Guild and Time Out Award. His other work includes Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness (Headlong Theatre), Stitching (The Traverse, The Bush – Time Out Off West End Award) and Normal (Edinburgh Festival). His films include The Debt Collector and Deeper Still.

Nick Powell previously collaborated with Anthony Nielson on Relocated (Royal Court) and The Wonderful World of Dissocia (Winner Best Production in both the TMA and Scottish Theatre Awards). His credits include composing and designing sound for Dunsinane (RSC), The Priory (Royal Court), The Drunks (RSC), Tito Andronico (Madrid), Panic (Improbable), The Family Reunion (Donmar Warehouse), Relocated (Royal Court), The Vertical Hour by David Hare (Royal Court) and co-created and composed the musical The Wolves In The Walls for the National Theatre of Scotland and Improbable.

The production will be designed by Miriam Buether, with lighting by Chahine Yavroyan.

Get Santa! previews from 1 December 2010 and runs until 15 January 2011 in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre.
Tickets available online or from the Box Office on 020 7565 5000.
Priority Booking for schools, friends and supporters from Wed 12 May.
General Booking opens Mon 17 May.

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact Anna Evans in the Royal Court Press Office on
020 7565 5063 or at annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com.

Get Santa! is sponsored by Coutts.

Gillian Chimes, Head of Sponsorship & Events at Coutts said:
“Coutts is absolutely thrilled to be returning to support the Royal Court, particularly this production designed for families which is at the core of so much that we do. The theatre has had a fabulous year with so many award-winning productions and we’re confident that Get Santa! will be another outstanding production.”

Listings information
1 Dec 2010 – 22 Jan 2011
Get Santa!
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London
Written and directed by Anthony Neilson
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court
Press Night 14 December 7pm

Tickets
Box Office 020 7565 5000 or online

School Performances
All tickets £8
10.45am: 1,2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 16 Dec 2010 and 5, 10, 11 Jan 2011
1.30pm: 6,13,15 Dec 2010 and 6, 13 Jan 2011
3pm: 16 Dec 2010 and 4 Jan 2011

Public Performances
Prices Adults £12, £18, £25. Children (under 16) £8, £10, £12.50. School groups of 8+ £8.
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)

10.45am: 24, 29, 31 Dec 2010
1.30pm: 20,21,22 30 Dec 2010
3pm: 4, 11, 18, 23, 29, 31 Dec 2010 and 8, 15 Jan 2011
5pm 21, 22 Dec 2010 and 6, 13 Jan 2011
7pm 14, 17, 18, 23 Dec 2010 and 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15 Jan 2011