Wishmas

It’s nearly that time of year again of figgy pudding, glazed turkey and sleigh bells jingling all the way. This month, there’s a new show in town, hidden around the graffiti tunnels of Leake Street in the heart of Waterloo. Aimed at very young children, the performance consists of rooms with puzzle solving, while seasonal decor instils the spirit of Christmas.

Entering the Old Bauble Factory, you are welcome to some complimentary mulled wine and hot chocolate, evoking the spirit of the festive period. The opening room feels like a Grinch set, with bright red lighting and puppet robins in birdhouses, flying on zipwire. The following room is even more enticing, as we make ourselves comfortable on a makeshift train that feels like it’s moving, as it shakes and whirs realistically, with screen visuals of the starry night, flying above the clouds. The train is long, and it’s worth mentioning that the storytelling would have had a greater effect if there was more than one elf; having a single character made it difficult for people to hear at both ends.

In the Merry Maps of Everywhere, we are asked to look at coordinates on machines and press a big yellow button simultaneously, which expels a jigsaw piece to fit on the table of various Christmas-related objects. There is some frenzy, and it’s nice to see the little ones with their parents, but once more, the communication lacks clarity, which would have been further improved with the use of microphones.

As the progression of visits to various rooms develops – such as the observatory where you spin what looks like a ship’s helm – it is the final Santa section that is the highlight. This evening’s Father Christmas looks just the part, and very believable in his role, as the children look on, enchanted. When the fluffy snow falls, and we sing Yuletide songs, the festive spirit lingers on as we take one last journey to the bauble-making room, a nice little activity space, complete with real orange slices and multi-coloured tinsel, which you can take home with you or decorate the shelves at the factory; thereafter, you are free to shop in the Christmas market.

The right intention is there, to evoke the love, hope and magic of Christmas, but the ticket prices are very high for what Wishmas has to offer, and you may fare better looking elsewhere for some festive cheer.

Selina Begum

Wishmas is at the Old Bauble Factory until the 7^th January 2023. For further information visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Wishmas here:

https://youtu.be/ywhAAWZbPCI