Puppet performers to bring festive fun

THE Christian story of Christmas is set to be told by both human and puppet performers as part of Rise Christian Church’s Christmas with the King event.

Featuring familiar characters inspired by the 2013 Disney film Frozen, the show’s assistant director, choreographer, and puppeteer Tabitha Rickard said it’ll be a fun event for families.

“It’s a parody of some Frozen characters and a bit of a sequel to a show we did in 2021,” she said.

“This story features Olaf’s cousin, Rolof, who goes on an adventure with Relsa where they discover the story of Christmas and Jesus’s birth. It’s a fun, creative way of retelling the story.

“We have smoke and fog machines, a group of silk dancers representing the Holy Spirit, an array of songs, some from Frozen and some traditional, including one with an Elvis Presley angel.”

The puppet Rolof was created for the church’s previous puppet show, and will be joined this year by new addition of deer Svena.

More than 25 performers will feature in the show, the majority of whom are through Rise Christian Church.

Following each performance, photo opportunities with the puppets will be available for young attendees.

The show will run across three days next weekend with each performance free.

“The big thing is delivering something with high production values for free for the community during a time when the cost of living’s so high,” Rickard said.

“It’s about being able to provide art and culture to the community no matter where they’re at financially during Christmas.”

Christmas with the King will be performed at the Rise Christian Church at 1 Icon Drive, Delacombe from 7pm on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 December, with 11am and 5pm shows the next Sunday.

Tickets can be booked at bit.ly/3t0Tqki.