Globe Announces First-Ever Christmas Show, Runs 22 December Through 3 January, 2010

For the first time ever, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre will open its doors over the festive season for a Christmas production. Following their Shakespeare Party in 2008, the acclaimed and totally unique Footsbarn Theatre returns to the Globe with their Christmas Cracker - a family feast of carnival, comedy and Christmas cheer. The production will run for 18 performances between 22 December 2009 and 3 January 2010, with a combination of 11am, 2pm and 5.30pm performances.

Footsbarn's Christmas Cracker promises a midwinter celebration of London's rich, bawdy, pagan past, drawing from festive traditions, and inspired by the complete works of Shakespeare. As an open-air venue, the essence of the show will be brevity, with two half-hour acts around an interval, giving plenty of room for mulled wine and hot food in the break.

Footsbarn's ridiculous and delightful characters include their poetry reciting, three headed Shakespeare who discovers words that have never been heard before; Juliet walking the tightrope whilst playing the violin; and the accordion-playing worm. They will be joined this Christmas by the Lord of Misrule who reigns supreme over the Feast of Fools, ensuring that all the laws are broken in his hedonistic realm. With magic, music, carnival, dance, puppets and circus, this unique show is suitable for the whole family.