JUST as the tinsel begins to appear in shop windows, the nights start drawing in and all the ads for Christmas presents start to appear on the telly... the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, gets busy rehearsing for its annual Christmas musical - another treat written by Peter Doran with original songs by James Williams - 'Santa's Missing Trousers'. This year, James Williams will be in charge of directing the whole kaboodle which will be no easy feat, with the likes of Emile Heskeymo, Gwyn the Penguin and mad professor Isambard Chilblain Brunel to contend with, not to mention Scratch and Sniff the mischievous (but well-meaning elves). Thank goodness Santa and his Missus are on hand to keep everyone in order. By night, James is busy working in the Torch sound studio with Jerome Davies, creating all kinds of fantastical magical soundtracks, and by day he's either in the Tabernacle Church on Charles Street - not praying for inspiration - but using the church hall to put the actors through their paces. If you can't find him there, try the Torch itself, where he'll be tickling the ivories and putting the actors through their vocal paces. It really gets you in the mood for Christmas. James says: "This Christmas the whole show will be more magical than ever - with something for everyone - a mixture of Goldie Looking Chain and My Fair Lady!" Santa's helpers are busy working in the depths of the theatre, creating the most wonderful puppets, props and costumes, and down in Santa's workshop, bigger, stronger elves are putting together the heavy wooden structures that will be the backdrop to the production. There'll be snow and a bicycle with wings, plus a polar bear - and Santa himself (if he ever manages to find his trousers...!). The show opens on November 30 and runs until December 24. There will be three special performances, where every child booked in to see the show will get a special gift from Santa himself. Telephone 01646 695267 for details.
