Families looking for something a little different this Christmas can head to Farnham Maltings, where Beatrix Potter’s much-loved The Tailor of Gloucester is being given a bold new musical makeover.
Running from Friday 11th to Thursday 24th December 2026, this lively new adaptation brings together live rock and pop music, inventive puppetry, humour and plenty of festive surprises.
Inspired by Beatrix Potter’s original tale and marking the 160th anniversary of her birth, the production has been adapted by Alex Kanefsky, with an original score and lyrics by double Olivier Award-winner Darren Clark.
The story takes place on Christmas Eve – the one night of the year when animals can speak. In a town that is slowly losing its colour, a struggling tailor and a family of ambitious mice find themselves on the brink of success. But with fame and fortune within reach, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice and whether success is worth the cost to those around them.
This fresh take on Potter’s classic story brings the world of the industrious sewing mice into the present day, introducing fashion, branding and even social media alongside a live soundtrack packed with rock and pop.
An energetic cast of four combines music, puppetry and theatrical storytelling to create a colourful Christmas adventure filled with jokes, mischief and festive fun.
While the production gives the familiar story a contemporary twist, its heart remains firmly rooted in themes of courage, community and kindness – and the importance of doing good even when nobody is watching.
Katy Potter, Executive Producer, said: “We’ve been interested in developing this story into a theatre adventure for a while, and the 160th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth felt like the perfect time to bring it to the stage.
“We’ve taken the familiar world of the tailor and his sewing mice and given it a contemporary twist, bringing fashion, branding and social media into their world and using live rock and pop music to tell the story.
“As a home for both craft and theatre, Farnham Maltings felt like the right place to create this new adaptation, which celebrates both.
“At its heart, we’ve kept the story’s message about doing something kind for others without expecting plaudits or reward, which feels as relevant today as ever.”
Farnham Maltings has become known for creating imaginative and distinctive festive productions for family audiences, with previous Christmas shows including The Christmas Lobster and Christmas in Exeter Street.
This year’s production promises an alternative to the traditional pantomime, offering families a lively theatrical adventure with plenty of music, colour and Christmas magic.
Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester runs from Friday 11th to Thursday 24th December 2026 at Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR.
