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A CHRISTMAS FAIRY TRAIL Festive fun for kids in immersive outdoor theatre experience
As a former member of B-boy crew Random Aspekts, Peter Maniam knows a thing or two about entertaining audiences. He also knows how to keep his kids occupied, so when he and his partner were planning an outdoor Christmas experience, they knew exactly what to do. ‘We’d visited several light shows with our own family,’ says Maniam, ‘and while we loved them, our kids weren’t fully engaged – they were fl ying round at breakneck speed. It was obvious to us that blending theatre and performance into this environment would be beautiful and help punctuate the experience.’
What emerged was A Christmas Fairy Trail, now in its third year and growing steadily with each incarnation. Performed in the beautiful Archerfi eld
Estate in East Lothian, this immersive event takes people on a 1.5km route lasting about an hour.
Guided through the forest by intrepid explorer Gus, we’re introduced to members of the fairy kingdom and happen upon large-scale installations including a talking tree, fairy disco and a huge weeping willow covered in fi bre optic lights.
Featuring a cast of dancers, aerialists, a body
popper and a magician, A Christmas Fairy Trail also has an interactive area, allowing visitors to meet these special forest folk. ‘We’ve increased the number of performers this
year,’ says Maniam, ‘and there are lots of new light shows as well. It’s very exciting to be offering something really unique.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ Archerfi eld Walled Garden, Dirleton, Fri 6–Tue 24 Dec.
1 Nov 2019–31 Jan 2020 THE LIST 99