Sorry, Christmas Is Cancelled… Katie Saves The Day

Topsy Turvy Theatre are back at The Carriageworks Theatre this December with Sorry, Christmas Is Cancelled… Katie Saves The Day, a new production written specifically for children aged 2-7 and their big people too. It runs from 12 to 31 December in the venue's Studio, so there are plenty of dates to choose from if you're trying to fit it around the school holidays.

The story follows Katie, who hitches a ride on a magical bird to the North Pole to help Father Christmas save Christmas after thieves steal all the presents. It's told in the company's signature style: dynamic storytelling, hand-crafted puppets, original music and scenery. The show runs for an hour with no interval, which is about as long as you can hold a toddler's attention before they start fidgeting.

One thing that makes this a good shout for families is how it's staged. Every performance is presented as a relaxed show, with the house lights on and sound effects softened, and Makaton woven in. If you've got a child who finds dark theatres or loud noises a bit much, that takes a lot of the stress out of the trip. Topsy Turvy Theatre are also the company behind Christopher's Christmas and The Lost Present... A Christmas Adventure, so they've done this kind of thing before.

The venue itself is a Grade II Listed building that stood as the West Riding Carriage Manufactory from 1848 before opening in 2005 as a city-centre cultural hub. The Studio is its intimate space, seating 77, so you'll be close to the action. Tickets are £12 standard, £10 for over 60s, and £9.75 for groups of four or more.