'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Source: The List (Issue 590)
Date: 15 November 2007
Written by: Kelly Apter

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Opposite Ocean Terminal, Leith, Sat 24 Nov, 5pm

AERIAL SHOW

The words ‘Christmas’ and ‘free’ rarely go hand in hand these days, but a one-off event in Leith is bucking the trend. ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas is a free outdoor family event being staged as part of Edinburgh’s mammoth Christmas celebrations. A re-enactment of the classic poem, the show will feature aerial fairies, flying toys and, of course, the big man himself arriving down the chimney.

‘This is the first time Edinburgh’s Christmas has included anything like this,’ says producer, Nickie Gott. ‘In scale, imagination and creativity the performance is something totally new and different, and we anticipate that it will be a huge hit for all ages.’ Having recently won the bid to run Edinburgh’s Christmas – ousting former organisers Pete Irvine and Karen Koren – Durham-based Gott has much to prove. Fusing dramatic lighting, a fireworks display and music from the 16-piece Love Boat Big Band, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas will be the first indicator of what Gott and her team are capable of.

But it would appear she knows just how to appeal to Edinburgh families – and their wallets. ‘We wanted to do something really spectacular and special for families,’ she says. ‘And we have made it free so that everyone can enjoy it at what is generally an expensive time of year.’

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