Bristolian Brilliance at Christmas: Stories Reimagined for the City We Love
At Tobacco Factory Theatres, Christmas is a time for fantastical stories – and we love telling them in our own special way and in the round. Today we take great pleasure in unwrapping Christmas shows of the past, that were 100% TFT-Made: lovingly crafted right here in Bristol, for Bristol. We’re also very excited to announce the title for this year’s festive production. Read on…
In recent years we have taken beloved classics – Oliver Twist, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, The Borrowers – and sprinkle them with a little local magic. These are tales you might know, but you’ve never seen them told quite like this. Our Christmas productions are full of heart, humour and imagination – with enough sparkle to lighten up even the darkest December day.
Led by Artistic Director Heidi Vaughan, we’ve made it our mission to work with the incredible professional artists who call this city home. All cast and creatives for our in-house Christmas shows come from within 25 miles of Bristol. Why? Because we believe the best stories are those told by our community. And what better time of year to celebrate that than Christmas?
Our homemade festive shows are packed with laughter, music, and a little bit of mischief – but above all, they’re made with love. For this city. For its audiences. For you!
And now to Christmas 2025! We are proud to announce Rapunzel: A Hairy Tale as this year’s festive treat in the round in our fabulous Factory Theatre.
Yes, this Christmas, come and experience the magic of a Tobacco Factory Theatres original — a spellbinding new take on the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale.
Under a bright sky, where vines creep and lemons glow, a girl sits high in her tower, waiting. But as the winds shift and her enchanted hair begins to stir, Rapunzel feels the tug of a world beyond the walls. And when a mysterious stranger bursts into her garden — bringing chaos, colour and the thrill of the unknown — she starts to wonder if safety and freedom can ever truly live side by side.
With bold original music, cheeky humour and wild invention, Rapunzel is a brand-new festive treat from the talented in-house theatre-makers at Tobacco Factory Theatres, creators of past favourites like Cinderella: A Fairy Tale, The Borrowers, and Oliver Twist. Full of heart and hair (so much hair!), it’s a tangled tale of growing up, breaking out, and finding your own voice.
If you’ve never seena TFT festive show before, or if you fancy a trip down memory lane, join us below for a look back at some of the best, home-made in-house Christmas shows at TFT in recent years.
Oliver Twist – Christmas 2023
WATCH: Rehearsal Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0VTaXFfujg
WATCH: Production Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PpE3eLmn5g
A fresh and festive reimagining of Dickens’ classic, Oliver Twist was adapted by Olivier Award-winning Bristol playwright Adam Peck and directed by Tobacco Factory Theatres’ new Artistic Director, Heidi Vaughan, marking her debut production for the company. Set against the backdrop of present-day Bristol, the production infused the timeless tale with local flavour, humour, and heart. Original songs composed by Seamas Carey, with lyrics by Carey and Peck, added a musical dimension that resonated with audiences. Performed in the round with minimal set design, the show relied on dynamic performances and inventive staging to bring the story to life. The production went on to be TFT’s highest grossing production of all time. But did it sell the most seats? Check The Borrowers further down to find out.
Cast:
- Defender Nyanhete as Oliver
- Beverly Rudd as Fagin
- Tom Fletcher as Dodger, Monks & Martha
- Dan Gaisford as Bill Sikes & Judge Fang
- Shiquerra Robertson Harris as Nancy & Agnes
- Alice Barclay as Mrs Brownlow & Mrs Sowerberry
- Alex Heane as Musical Accompanist
What did the press say?
★★★★ “An inventive, energetic take on a classic with a contemporary Bristol twist; sheer joy to watch.” – Bristol 24/7
Oz – Christmas 2021
WATCH: https://youtu.be/04LynC-wDS8
A co-production between Tobacco Factory Theatres and our Bristol based friends, the award-winning Pins and Needles Productions, Oz was a bold reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale. Directed by Emma Earle and written by Earle, Sarah Henley, and Zoe Squire, this adaptation transported audiences to a fantastical world filled with potent poppy fields, ferocious flying monkeys, and rogue rulers. With imaginative storytelling, original live music by Jack Drewry, and humour for all the family, Oz offered a fresh take on the beloved story. Being our first Christmas show since the pandemic. OZ also became our first Christmas where audiences could also enjoy the production from home, with our first ever ‘view from home’ showings online.
Cast:
- Adiza Shardow as Dorothy
- Alison Fitzjohn as the Lion
- Georgina Strawson as the Scarecrow
- Joseph Tweedale as the Tin Man
- Martin Bonger as the Wicked Witch of the West and The Wizard of Oz
Review quote:
“If you’re only seeing one show this Christmas, make it this one.” – Backstage Bristol
The Borrowers – Christmas 2018
WATCH: https://youtu.be/-GGt4y2eOZs
Adapted by Bea Roberts and directed by Nik Partridge, The Borrowers transformed the Factory Theatre into a giant adventure playground, bringing Mary Norton’s beloved tale to life with a Bristolian twist. Set beneath the floorboards of a bustling house, the production followed the tiny Clock family as they navigated a world of towering humans and everyday objects turned colossal. With inventive design by Rosanna Vize, original music by David Ridley, and playful choreography, the show celebrated resourcefulness, family, and friendship. While Oliver Twist holds the record for the highest revenue returned for a Christmas show at TFT, it’s The Borrowers that still stands tall as the show with most bums on seats, with a staggering 17,067 people packing out the theatre over 12 weeks. Can Rapunzel: A Hairy Tale break that record this year?
Cast:
- Simon Armstrong as Eddie
- Craig Edwards as Pod
- Jessica Hayles as Arrietty
- Peta Maurice as Homily
- David Ridley as Young Eddie
- Ellie Showering as Musician/Performer
- Lucy Tuck as Mrs Drive
What did the press say? ★★★★ “Inventive, warm and bursting with Bristolian brilliance. The Borrowers is small in stature but huge in heart.” – The Guardian
Cinderella: A Fairytale – Christmas 2016
WATCH: https://youtu.be/CArv2QedIvM
Originally devised by director Sally Cookson, dramaturg Adam Peck, composer Benji Bower, designer Katie Sykes, and the original cast, Cinderella: A Fairytale returned to Tobacco Factory Theatres in 2016 as a revival directed by Chris Pirie. Since this fabulous production premiered here in 2011, it was performed at three other venues for Christmas, seen by 60,000 people, nominated for an Olivier Award and won an Off West End Award. This imaginative retelling of the Brothers Grimm classic replaced the traditional fairy godmother with a flock of magical birds and swapped glass slippers for glittery Doc Martens. With inventive storytelling, live music, and dynamic performances, this co-production with our Bristol friends at Travelling Light offered a fresh and enchanting take on the well-known tale and set the bar for future festive productions at TFT.
Cast:
- Isabella Marshall as Ella
- Joey Hickman as the Prince
- Craig Edwards as the Stepmother
- Lucy Tuck as the Stepsister
- Dorian Simpson as the Stepbrother
- Brian Hargreaves and Alex Heane as Musicians
Review quote: “This isn’t just a Christmas show – it’s a masterclass in imaginative storytelling.” – ★★★★★ The Stage
Want to be able to get the best seats in the house before anyone else? Why not become a member of Tobacco Factory Theatres and beat the crowd!
Find out more about our memberships here.
Posted on 28 May 2025
