Sleeping Trees are back with a brand new living room adventure for all the family to enjoy this Christmas.

Bringing all the qualities that you would expect from a family friendly pantomime, Sleeping Trees have delivered a brand new riotous adventure that will appeal to adults as much as children.

This latest living room adventure from the company sees disaster hitting Christmas when the presents that Santa is expected to deliver on Christmas Eve to children including Jack & Jill and Hansel & Gretel for example are stolen by an infamous villain (inspired by Darth Vader) and it is up to Santa and his cat to save Christmas and to prevent children turning to the naughty side.

Packed full with characters (all played with great style and joy by James Dunnell-Smith, Joshua George Smith and John Woodburn), this madcap adventure has many admirable qualities in terms of the way in which it has been filmed. The inventiveness and creativity is really impressive – particularly when it comes to all the space elements and the way it is brought to life visually makes you feel as though you are there with Santa and the cat (who has always wanted to help Santa deliver his presents) on their adventures. This combined with just the right balance of audience interaction ensures that younger audiences will be thoroughly engaged from start to finish of this 50 minute show.

Elsewhere, the way in which Shaun Reynolds has edited this production is impressive and never jars or disrupts from the story at all – it is all very smoothly handled as is the way in which he captured it on camera along with Erin Hopper, ensuring that the energy and pace is kept consistent throughout.

But what about the adults who tuning in with their kids? Well many will certainly appreciate many of the jokes that might go slightly over their kids heads – in particular all the references to being “copyright free” and plenty of depreciating jokes about the show’s budget, ensuring that there is plenty for everybody to enjoy.

Directed by Kerry Frampton, this is a really lively and energetic production that is ideal for those who want to see a Christmas show but unable to see one live. It’s playfulness and joy really shines through – although it does feel as though the opening section in which the cast open the presents feels as though it could use some tightening to allow for the actual story to get a little more time dedicated to it.

This is definitely a show that will leave you with a smile on your face and filled with festive spirit. If you are looking for a show to keep your kids (and yourself) entertained then do check out this offering from Sleeping Trees.

By Emma Clarendon

Puss in Moon Boots is available to watch on demand until the 10th January 2022.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐