Christmas at The Dock: special lineup for children

'Christmas Crackers' children's event takes place at The Dock on Monday, December 4. Presented by the Custard Pie puppet theatre, the play is recommended for children aged 4 to 10 years old. 

It is a cabaret-style show and features Santy's helpers Dong & Ding, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and many more - all wrapped up with seasonal capers, laughs and sing-a-long fun. 

Custard Pie Puppets performs colourful original shows specifically tailored for young audiences, and its ethos is built around audience participation, comedy and promoting a shared experience for everyone.

Some of the parents will remember master puppeteer Conor Lambert. Starting as Mr Crow in RTE's iconic 'Wanderly Wagon', Conor has performed with the Lambert Puppet Theatre throughout Ireland and across Europe and consequently founded his puppet company with Tessa Fonfara.

His experience as a puppeteer prevails in every production, with as much detail expressed in movement and manipulation as there is in the sharp-witted dialogue. 

Two shows on Monday, December 4, are suitable for children aged 4 to 10 years. Admission for school children is €8, and school teachers who attend with their groups go free of charge.

'Christmas Crackers' is one of a series of festive events for children that is taking place in December at The Dock. 

Later that same week, on December 7-8, Centre Stage at The Dock present "Little Miss Muffet's Christmas Adventure". Little Miss Muffet has a magic tuffet, which makes dreams come true, every Christmas Day. But Ditzi Devilola, the Dim Witch, wants it. 

When the stool is stolen, poor Miss Muffet is in great distress - but help is at hand, from a Handsome Prince, Jack and Jill and a surprising ally.

The eternal appeal of this classic nursery rhyme makes this a golden opportunity to present this production from Centre Stage, Northern Ireland's premiere producer of Christmas plays, with their usual values of family entertainment, funny and immediate scripts, simple effects, live original music, memorable tunes and strong performances. 

With loads of audience participation, Little Miss Muffet's Christmas Adventure is in the very best traditions of Christmas Entertainment.

It takes place over two days, December 7-8, with two shows each day at 10am and 11.45am. Tickets cost €10 per school child; again, accompanying teachers are not charged. 

The duration is 70 minutes and is suitable for children aged 5 -10.

To book for either show, please call the box office at The Dock directly on 071 96 50 828.