Sparkling fun with unicorns Luna and Melody (Rachel Still and Ruxy Canter) at the Lemon Tree Christmas show, Unicorn Christmas Party. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
Oh no! Santa has lost his sparkle and he’s thinking about cancelling Christmas!
But don’t worry, the delightful unicorns Luna and Melody are here to save the day in the only way they can – a magical, fun and oh so very glittery Unicorn Christmas Party.
With that, the Lemon Tree’s much-loved Christmas show for little ones launches into an hour of singing, dancing, sparkles and wonder.
And wonderful is the best way to describe the reaction from the young audience in this relaxed show for the under sevens as they sang, danced, clapped, oohed and ah-ed along with Luna and Melody, a warm and enchanting performance from Rachel Still and Ruxy Canter.
Sing and dance along with Luna and Melody at the Lemon Tree this Christmas. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Inspired
The pair had an instant rapport with the kids who were watching from the cosy comfort of cushions scattered around the auditorium floor – with the grown-ups watching from the benches for big people, all of them smiling as much with joy at the reaction of the kids as the antics on the stage.
The beauty of the show is the way it gently eases children into this world of imagination, where magic is as real as the contents of the mystery gold envelope they had to open (no spoilers but sparkles were involved).
Even the shyest of the unicorn helpers from the audience quickly joined in when Luna and Melody showed everyone how much fun you can have dancing to favourite Christmas tunes.
Soon everyone was bopping along nicely and getting into the spirit of the season – so infectious even the adults were gleefully joining in.
Unicorn Christmas Party creates the magic of the season at the Lemon Tree. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
The staging is all twinkling stars, disco balls, shining torches and, yes, more glitter than you’d find in a snowglobe – which is what the Lemon Tree turned into when the snow and bubbles broke out for the big finale with All I Want For Christmas Is You.
Unicorn Christmas Party is a perfect first-time theatre experience for the under-sevens – and that really is magical, hopefully casting a spell that will last for years to come.
And do the unicorns – and their helpers – help Santa get his sparkle back? You’ll have to go along to find out, but here’s a little clue.
Merry Christmas everyone ... ho, ho, ho!
Unicorn Christmas Party runs at the Lemon Tree until Sunday, December 22. You can find more information, including tickets, here
Review by Danuta Dobrzanska