Stephen Kirkham plays the title role in Santa's First Christmas, a new Christmas dance show from Olivier Award winner James Cousins that premieres at the Unicorn Theatre in November, and the rest of the seven-strong company has now been named.
Stephen Kirkham has been cast as Santa in Santa's First Christmas, the Unicorn Theatre's world premiere stage version of the picture book by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith. Kirkham, whose credits include Hadestown and Star Wars: Andor, heads the company for the Christmas run in the Weston Theatre, from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Joining Kirkham are:
- Jahmarley Bachelor as Carey / Max (The Burnt City, Everybody's Talking About Jamie)
- Julia Costa as Max (Wednesday, The Magic Faraway Tree)
- Alex Gosmore as Polar Bear (STORM, James Cousins Company)
- Samantha Ho as Carey / Rita (Death Note The Musical, Cabaret)
- Imogen May Wright as Rita (Gary Clarke Company, Far From the Norm)
- Marshall Stay as understudy for Santa and Polar Bear (Dracula, Angel's Bone)
Olivier Award winner James Cousins, whose credits include Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, both directs and choreographs. Harry Blake, whose work includes Bear Snores On at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, provides the music and lyrics and is also musical director. The pair adapted the book for the stage with the Unicorn's artistic director, Rachel Bagshaw.
The story turns Christmas Eve around. Santa is always far too busy delivering presents to celebrate himself, so this year his elves resolve to give him a Christmas of his own, complete with a towering tree, plenty of treats and a lot of festive cheer, and Santa gets to enjoy the day for the very first time. The show is aimed at audiences aged four and over, and sets its dancing (and some roller skating) to a score that is mostly new, with a few familiar Christmas tunes worked in.
Cousins said: "I am so excited to be bringing Santa's First Christmas to the Unicorn stage with this incredible group of creatives and company of performers. It's a story with huge heart about finding those who lift you up to be the fullest version of you! Expect wonder, magic and a whole lot of joy that will leave you dancing (and roller skating!) your way into Christmas."
Blake added: "Santa's First Christmas is a beautiful story about love and acceptance, and I'm delighted to be bringing it to life at the Unicorn this Christmas. We'll be channelling the warmth and joy of the illustrations with catchy tunes, jazzy rhythms and a singing polar bear. The score is mainly original but if you listen carefully, you'll spot some Christmas classics woven in!"
Designs are by Eleanor Bull, with lighting by Joe Hornsby, sound by Riwa Saab and video by Daniel Denton. Vanessa Vince-Pang is associate director and choreographer, Hannah Grainger Gibbs is casting director and Amy Thornton is the production's rollerskating consultant.
Press night is Wednesday 25 November 2026 at 7pm. Tickets are priced from £10.00 to £29.50 at the Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ. Sensory adapted performances take place at 11am on Friday 4 December, Wednesday 16 December and Saturday 19 December 2026, and there is a BSL performance on Tuesday 15 December 2026 at 2.15pm.
