Oxford puppet show to encourage children to read this Christmas

The Elves and The Shoemaker will be staged by Oxford-based puppet company Wild Boor Ideas in collaboration with Pegasus Theatre.

Running from December 11 to 24, the show is aimed at children aged two to seven and their families.

The show will be held at Pegasus Theatre (Image: Wild Boor Ideas) The Elves and The Shoemaker (Image: Wild Boor Ideas) The performance blends puppetry, clowning, songs, interaction, and puns while promoting early years literacy.

The narrative weaves together various fairy tale characters facing unusual predicaments related to their shoes.

A specially illustrated book featuring the elves who help them and the fairy tale characters will accompany the show.

Wild Boor Ideas said: "It’s an ideal place for new readers to start their journey, with a story they have seen, taken part in, and enjoyed."

The book, along with the performance, aims to kindle a love for stories and reading.

The Elves and The Shoemaker (Image: Wild Boor Ideas) Wild Boor Ideas will also host pre-show workshops at schools and libraries, present online activities, tour to special educational needs schools and present relaxed performances during the run at Pegasus.

All these activities form the Book Bonding Project, aiming to link the theatre experience with a love for stories and reading.

The project is supported by funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as The Oxford Research Centre in Humanities and Oxford City Council.

Tickets for The Elves and the Shoemaker are available from £9.