Thanks to strong demand, the producers of Santa’s Wish have added sixteen performances, including weekend and school holiday shows – with 49 performances in total being staged over the festive period. Tickets are on sale now at www.thecastle.wales
Santa’s Wish is one of three shows being staged in the first ever Cardiff Castle Christmas Festival. Performed in the beautiful and intimate space of a Spiegeltent within the grounds of Cardiff Castle, this heart-warming family musical adventure, enriched with original songs, immersive storytelling and a sprinkling of circus magic is guaranteed to leave the whole family bursting with festive joy and happiness.
Santa’s Wish tells the enchanting story of Snowflake and her journey to becoming one of Santa’s elves.
“On a cold winters night that crept into dawn, some fresh snow fell softly… a snowflake was born…”
Landing on the edge of the warming ice cap, Snowflake melts into the ocean and travels on an extraordinary and vibrant journey around the world as she struggles to make it back to the North Pole and reach Santa Claus. On her journey, she meets various characters, including a wonderful young lady, Lily, whose mission is to spread joy at Christmas time.
Welsh television and stage actor, Dyfrig Morris, plays the role of Santa. Dyfrig has starred in numerous plays, musicals and pantomimes across the UK and has appeared on TV in The Crown and Hinterland/Y Gwyll. His stage credits include The Comedy of Errors, The Winter’s Tale (RSC); The Jungle Book (Royal & Derngate/Fiery Angel/CTP); Candylion, (National Theatre Wales); James and the Giant Peach, Of Mice and Men (West Yorkshire Playhouse).
Dyfrig Morris said: “I’m so happy to be back in Cardiff after many years away and can’t think of a better way to return than bringing the wonder of Christmas and the joy of music to my hometown with this spectacular gem of a show”.
Cardiff actress and singer Millie Davies plays the role of Snowflake. Millie was a soloist at the Live Under the Stars concert at Cardiff Castle for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and guest soloist at the Southwark Playhouse in London in A Night at the Musicals. She also performed as a soloist at the BBC Welsh Family Proms and in Hello Cabaret at Wales Millennium Centre. She has appeared in numerous musicals and pantomimes in Wales and England.
Millie Davies said: “I’m thrilled to be playing the part of Snowflake in Santa’s Wish at the first Cardiff Castle Christmas Festival. As a Cardiff girl who loves Christmas, I’m so pleased to be spending the festive season performing at Cardiff Castle. I can’t wait to bring a little Snowflake magic to the capital city this December!”
Dyfrig and Millie are joined by a wonderful cast of performers. TV and stage actress Naomi Katiyo (Cheaters, Holby City, Casualty)) plays the role of Tinsel the Elf and Lily; Hamburg-based singer Richie Gooding, who is originally from Penarth, plays the role of Crackers the Elf and Freddy; and Keely Edwards plays the role of Jingel the Elf and Eddie. Keely is a fully trained aerialist and acrobat who will be injecting incredible circus elements into the show.
Santa’s Wish is written and directed by Laura Brind and Matthew Brind. Welsh composer, arranger, and conductor Matthew Brind’s work spans film, television, theatre, and concerts. He has worked with New York City Ballet, English National Opera, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and is the arranger / orchestrator for the hit TV shows The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, and America’s Got Talent.
Matthew has been Musical Supervisor for numerous West End, Broadway and touring musicals including, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Notre Dame de Paris and What’s New Pussycat. His original musical, Only the Brave, played to packed houses at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2016.
Laura Brind has worked in children’s theatre for 15 years as Principal of the Vale Academy of Performing Arts. She trained at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Performing Arts receiving a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre and following her training tread the boards as an actress in various West End and touring productions including The Witches of Eastwick, Peronals (Jermyn Street Theatre); Tickledom (Gatehouse Theatre); and Only the Brave (Edinburgh Fringe). With the Vale Academy of Performing Arts Laura has directed and choreographed numerous productions including, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan.
Laura originally conceived Santa’s Wish as piece of ‘doorstep’ theatre during the pandemic to spread some joy and cheer to the community during lockdown.
Matthew Brind said: Two years ago, in the middle of lock down, my wife and co-writer Laura, said, “I’ve had an idea!”, and Santa’s Wish was born. We began working on some exciting characters and forming a story that would feel new, but also timeless. Two years later, and we are extremely proud to be bringing this new musical to life and sharing it with the families of South Wales and beyond. Santa’s Wish is a tale of belief, bravery and above all… kindness. Believe, and the magic will come true…”.
The Cardiff Castle Christmas Festival is a spectacular new entertainment attraction being staged inside a beautiful 548-seat Fortuna Spiegeltent in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Adding to the festive experience, outside the Spiegeltent on the Castle lawn will be a village area with seasonal artisan street food and drink stalls, serving warming drinks such as gluhwein, spiced cider, and hot chocolate, while a sizzling sausage stall will tickle the taste buds with its bratwurst, pizzas, and burgers.
Cardiff Castle Christmas Festival is produced by Cardiff-based live events company Live Under the Stars and Jamboree Entertainment. Also included in the festival are The Nutcracker – the Christmas ballet with a Welsh twist and Castellana – a jaw-dropping entertainment spectacular, comprising world-class cabaret, burlesque, and circus acts, sprinkled with live music, laughs and naughtiness.
TICKETS
For tickets and further information, go to www.thecastle.wales
Tickets range from £8.50 to £30. Booth tickets are priced at £25.00 per seat (based on booking of 6 seats). Booking Fees Apply.
The performance on Sunday 11 December at 12pm will be a relaxed performance with BSL interpretation by Tony Evans. The venue is accessible for wheelchairs. Please message the team with any specific requirements – info@thecastle.wales or phone 029 2152 0052