Katherine MacAlister talks turkey with actor Richard Evans

Ironically Richard Evans has a lot in common with Father Christmas — the character he plays. Both entertain hordes of small children, work seasonally flat out and look the same, Richard sporting a magnificent white beard that has people ho-ho-hoing at him even when he’s in his everyday clothes. They are even the same age, Richard citing his as 492.

Dress him up in his festive paraphernalia, however, and the two are indistinguishable which you can witness for yourself when Hurry Up, Father Christmas! opens at the Burton Taylor Theatre today for what is usually a sell-out run, meaning this year has been extended into January for the first time .

Yes, Oxford Playhouse’s annual offering for little people, namely the 3-6s and their families, is back on track with another winning story and performance, written as always by the wonderful Helen Eastman and starring once again the ever cheerful and perfectly cast Richard Evans.

“Yes, I’m preparing for the onslaught,” he laughs, even his guffaw sounding like Santa’s. “It’s becoming rather a habit actually, but a very fun one.”

So why keep coming back for more? “Father Christmas is such a unique character. Everyone knows him so he gets to their hearts very quickly. The motivation, of course, comes from the fact that you are only as good as your last performance, even if Helen does seems to be adding our mutual descent into senility and decrepitude into the script,” he laughs again, “Ho ho ho... I seem to get bumblier and bumblier every year.”

Helen started writing the Father Christmas series of plays when her son was four, so knew her audience brilliantly, meaning the shows are always full of magic, tinsel and interaction. This year the plot revolves around everything running late at the North Pole. The sleigh isn’t polished, the reindeer aren’t fed, Father Christmas has lost his keys and the magic dust has run out, hence Hurry up, Father Christmas!

Although most mortals would be daunted by entertaining thousands of small children for weeks on end, Richard’s stint as a primary school drama teacher on the Kings Road during his rich and varied career, which started as an opera singer, means he has the patience and experience to cope and engage this age group.

“I love it because the children are open to suggestion and take it all in. It’s just a magic space.”

Stamina-wise, Richard also often has three shows a day to perform, but he copes admirably.

“I look after myself and go to bed early,” he smiles, “and it means I always get to be working at Christmas and plug into the festive spirit because I like to purvey and be active. I like to be on stage and still find it enormously gratifying because everyone loves Father Christmas, it’s all good natured and it’s great to be part of that. Though by January 4 I am sure I will be exhausted but fulfilled,” he adds before uttering another round of ho ho hos, “maybe the next show should be called What Father Christmas Does Next.”

Watch this space.

Hurry Up, Father Christmas!
Burton Taylor Studio
Today to Sunday, January 4
For children aged three to six and their families
Tickets: Call 01865 305305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com