Mr Kite Benefits presents…

The Best Christmas Present in the World by Michael Morpurgo

Saturday 16 November

The Atkinson, Southport

A matinee performance at 2.00pm in aid of Farms for City Children

A reading by Michael Morpurgo of his Christmas book, The Best Christmas Present in The World, with Virginia McKenna and accompanied by the acapella Voices at the Door (including Coope, Boyes and Simpson, Fi Fraser, Jo Freya and Georgina Boyes) singing Christmas carols from Britain, France and Flanders.

Michael Morpurgo is best known as a popular children’s author and writer of the book, War Horse. This book has gone on to be a worldwide success on both stage and screen with the latter directed by Steven Spielberg. He has written many other children’s books and this performance is based on his Christmas book, The Best Christmas Present in The World.

Virginia McKenna has followed a successful career as an actress with a leading role within the conservation and animal welfare movement. She is the founder and trustee of the Born Free Foundation named after the 1966 film in which she starred. In her role as Joy Adamson in this true-life film, she received a nomination for a Golden Globe Award.

Both Michael Morpurgo and Virginia McKenna will read from The Best Christmas Present in The World with musical interludes provided by Voices at the Door. 

Michael Morpurgo tells a story of loss, love and the quest to find “Dearest Connie”, accompanied by lyrical accapella Christmas carols from Coope, Boyes & Simpson Fi Fraser, Jo Freya and Georgina Boyes.

Almost a century after the famous Christmas Truce of 1914 and the football match in No-Man’s Land between the British and the Germans, a soldier’s letter is found by chance in an antique desk – “Jim’s Last Letter: to be buried with me when the time comes.” And thus begins the quest to find “Dearest Connie”.

This production, specially adapted for performance by Michael Morpurgo was premiered at The National Theatre and this performance offers a rare opportunity to see the production in the North West.

If you are interested in an interview with Michael Morpurgo, please contact Steve Henderson on steve@mrkite.org or call 07770 584508.

Tickets are £19 (£15 children, £12 perch seats) and are available online at www.theatkinson.co.uk , by calling The Atkinson box office on 01704 533333 and over the counter.

*Please be advised there is a £2 booking fee for booking over the phone and online bookings.

Posted on 16 September 2013 under General news