Christmas Theatre 2022 will be one of the most crucial festive seasons in stage history. TheQR is talking to as many of those making theatre in the UK this year as possible, to play a small part in raising their profile, and opportunities for a successful run. Though many of us face a tough winter, financially speaking, a magical night of theatre offers a (warm) escape for a few hours, and if you have the expendable income available will help support the livelihoods of those who keep that magic alive. If you have been following Gaspard’s stories, you’ll be familiar with the animal characters and their personalities. There’s a lovely moment that captures Peter and Finty perfectly, when Nikolaus reaches the church and reads the sign outside,

Zeb Soanes — Zeb Soanes joins Classic FM

The broadcaster and children’s author talks to Flora Watkins about finding inspiration in Islington and buzzing about on his Brompton. The book launched opened with a performance of a new Christmas Carol –“Christmas Is Here” with words by Zeb Soanes and music by the great Jonathan Dove. This was an extract from the new concert work by Jonathan, an adaptation for narrator and orchestra, commissioned by the Royal Scottish National orchestra, and to be premiered in Glasgow and Edinburgh this Christmas. Zeb will be narrating and I’ll be painting live! SEE!’ exclaimed Peter. I told you it was Father Christmas. He knows my name. And he called me Saint Peter because I helped him.’ From the timeless Nativity story to favourite Christmas movies, storytelling has been a festive tradition for those of all ages, since time immemorial. Gaspard’s Christmas is named ‘Best Charity Book’ in The Independent’s 11 best Christmas books for children 2022You can now listen to the musical tale of Gaspard’s Foxtrot, read by its author Zeb Soanes, accompanied by Jonathan Dove’s exciting score.

Celebrate Christmas with Gaspard the Fox! - Royal Scottish

James makes all his illustrations with traditional tools, mainly using pen and ink, and watercolours. He created his own new shade of ink especially for teh Gaspard the Fox books, which he calls ‘Gaspard Red’. Gaspard the fox, your literary creation, is an immortalization of a very real, urban fox that you and your partner befriended and nursed. Do/How do Gaspard’s continuing Christmas adventures continue to be inspired by that connection? The Philharmonia Orchestra and the voices of 350 singers descend upon the south bank of London to perform a rousing piece of music that has become a seasonal staple: Handel’s monumental Messiah. This December, Classic FM’s Orchestra in North-East England and at Sage Gateshead, Royal Northern Sinfonia offer up a classical festive feast, from Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’ to Pärt’s Trisagion, plus brilliant music by Biber, Hildegard of Bingen, and Bach.Organist Anna Lapwood plays epic Bach at Royal Albert Hall The Classic FM Hall of Fame Feast, with Aled Jones and Margherita Taylor CookieYes sets this cookie to record the default button state of the corresponding category and the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. Not this year, I’ll be flying to Mexico on Christmas Day. But they do have foxes, the kit fox ( Vulpes macrotis), so I may make friends with one of Gaspard’s distant cousins although I will need to brush up my Spanish!

Gaspard the Fox Gaspard the Fox

I hope the underlying message of kindness and the value of community stays with children long after they leave the concert hall. A behind the scenes look at Gaspard's Foxtrot, the concert experience for school children which has been watched by over 92,000 children across Scotland. And on Friday 23 December he presents a special evening of live carols and readings from the stunning St Paul’s Cathedral, held by the Guide Dogs charity. There’ll be music from St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, with festive readings by David Bradley, Ruth Jones, and Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Gaspard boards the Number 38 bus and sets off on a musical adventure through the sights, sounds and smells on London. The latest tale in the delightful Gaspard the Fox series is narrated by the book’s author, Zeb Soanes.He is also the creator of the Katie art books and Ella Bella Ballerina series. He has worked with many orchestras and musicians including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, painting illustrations live on stage to performances of classical music, including The Firebird, Scheherazade and Pictures at an Exhibition. Author Zeb Soanes first mentioned a possible Christmas book several years ago, a touching tale with real heart. How wonderful that this week it came to fruition as “Gaspard’s Christmas”, the 4th title in the Gaspard The Fox series, illustrated by me.