Two elf puppets in yellow dungarees and striped tops appear in a window, operated by performers behind them.

Longfield Hall2023

The Elves & the Shoemaker

The Production

The Dot Collective’s accessible Christmas production The Elves & the Shoemaker returned in 2023 as a revival tour for care homes, community spaces and arts venues. Created with access needs at its core, the production formed part of the company’s work bringing professional theatre into care and dementia-friendly settings.

33 photographs in the curated edit

Director: Laura Harling
Commissioned by: The Dot Collective
Photography: Steve Gregson

The Elves & the Shoemaker at Longfield Hall — production hero photograph

Two elf puppets stand among shoe boxes in a festive workshop set with string lights, stockings and a Christmas tree.

Performer in a flat cap and suspenders holds up a small red checked decoration.

Shadow of a capped figure holding up a stocking appears on a lit screen above shelves of shoes.

Two performers in caps sit and kneel in a festive shoe shop set; one holds a shoe, the other a black clutch.

Three performers pose in blue light with red boots, flippers and a diving mask as bubbles float across the set.

Silhouetted puppets and a hand-held prop appear on a lit screen, with bubbles drifting at the side.

Three performers under magenta lighting, one in a red jacket reaching forward as the others react behind.

Two elf puppets stand on a garland-trimmed shelf while performers operate them from a window behind.

Three performers in red lighting stand before the audience, with tinsel and string lights across the set.

Performer in a white space suit and mirrored helmet holds two gold baubles in a lit shop window.

Performer in a flat cap steadies a small Christmas tree as a person places a gold star on top.

Three performers pose under purple light; one in a red jacket, one in an apron, one in a burgundy skirt and tinsel.

Performer in flat cap and white tinsel stands beside a window display with gloves, a top hat and an open sign.

Backlit shadow puppets of two small figures and houses appear beneath tinsel and string lights.

Two performers in caps face closely under pink light, with a roller skate on a shelf behind them.

Performer in an apron fits a gold shoe onto a puppet's foot beside other puppets on a shelf.

Performer in a white space suit raises gloved hands in blue-purple light, with audience silhouettes in front.

Three performers gesture in a decorated shop set with string lights, shoes, boxes and an open sign.

Two elf puppets in striped shirts and dungarees emerge from beneath a counter beside shoeboxes.

Three performers pose amid bubbles, wearing snorkel gear, flippers, skates and oversized red-and-yellow shoes.

Two performers stand arm in arm under bright pink lighting, mouths open as if singing.

Shadow puppets of elves, a couple and a shoe appear on a lit screen, with bubbles and tinsel around the set.

A performer in cap, suspenders and stained apron holds white shoes against a shopfront set.

Two performers lean elf puppets out of a shop window above shelves of oversized shoes.

A performer in a white space suit and helmet raises both arms under blue-purple light as another reaches toward them.

A performer holding oversized red-and-yellow shoes stands close to audience members in front of the shop set.

Elf puppets stand on shelves beside oversized shoes while a performer gestures on the decorated shop set.

Two performers pose together; one in a fur hat and stole, the other holding a small white bird puppet.

A performer in a white space suit balances on one leg with arms spread as two others hold baubles nearby.

Performer in a helmet leans through a lit window as an apron-clad performer stands under purple stage light.

Three performers pose with raised arms on a festive set with string lights, an open sign and a small Christmas tree.

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