Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at one of the most family-filled events? The place where millions of children eagerly await to visit, well the Mirrors, Nia Dalton has shared what it’s like at one of Bristol’s tinsel temples in Cribbs Causeway.
Wearing a tartan coat decorated with a holly brooch and bright orange tights, Nia stepped out on stage as Satsuma the elf at Santa's Grotto in Cribbs Causeway shopping centre. Although she was not your typical red and pointy-eared elf, she felt quite stylish for a North Pole worker.
She said: “Creative director Hannah McGavin gave me the name and outfit when I arrived, and it's very fitting for the Paddington Bear theme at Bristol's Winter Wonderland. As I'm greeted by a fellow employee, Clementine the elf, Hannah tells me to wave and smile at every child and wish them a Merry Christmas.”
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She continued: “At first, I felt like a fraud and I almost broke a sweat worrying that they'll see straight through me - I've had zero acting training after all. But there is festive magic in the air and I snap into character as soon as a youngster walks past. Just seeing his little face light up makes me smile back.”
While Santa's Grotto has not been open for long, Nia said a lot of families came out to experience the interactive show and meet the big man himself.
The show’s creative director worked as a performer and dancer before setting up Bakehouse Factory 11 years ago, and now runs an entertainment and events company with her husband. She told Nia “the magic of theatre and storytelling is what we do” adding that she “loved weaving tales through sets, characters and costume”.
Christmas is Hannah’s favourite time of year, but when they aren't organising Santa's Grotto, her team are busy with summer campaigns, Easter events and town centre installations. She told Nia that for the organisation, Christmas begins in April with casting, rehearsals and auditions taking place across the summer. "You're the perfect height for an elf” Nia was told as she worked from 4 pm to 8 pm with elves filing in half an hour early to get into costume and do their make-up and hair.
While wearing a bright pink blusher and extra large freckles on her cheeks, she stood in front of the grotto to welcome children in. She said the tipi was decked out with Christmas trees, garlands, and fairy lights and there are jars of marmalade and plush oranges left, right and centre. Every single elf was completely immersed in the character, although Nia said she found it “quite hard to put on an excitable voice and play the part”. She recalls being told that "behind the scenes needs to be totally watertight so that the front can be as magical as possible”.
However, she began to worry about being asked “upfront and straight-forward questions from kids, like whether Santa is real but was told to say "Santa is real if you believe in him” and "there is a lot of magic to be made out there in the world, so Santa has to make sure he has lots of helpers”. Adding that “you may have spotted him on a motorbike or wandering around the shopping centre, but you'll never know which one of his helpers actually is him”.
Nia guided each family through the experience, from the gigantic jar of marmalade to the Christmas tree where they have to make a wish to light up the gift. Remembering that "every family comes with different expectations and beliefs” and she needed to be able to bring the magic alive in the way they needed it”. As she reached the third tipi, Alba the owl was on display and she had to teach the children to fly so the owl would flap its wings. Nia recognised that the elves had a knack for making the grown-ups relax and the children get involved. She said: “It's special to watch.”
When she finally approached Santa's tipi, she was told the main rule of the grotto was “Never promise anything” as it's “it's very hard to keep a promise”. Nia said: “Santa heard every single gift request under the sun, and while lots of kids asked for technology and the latest phone, many wanted pets.”
At Cribbs Causeway, Santa doesn't have a naughty or nice list - instead, he's all about kindness. And while some children want shiny new toys, others simply take “your breath away with requests to help their friends and family” she recalled Hannah saying. At the end of Winter Wonderland, families collect their photographs and personalised baubles and head to the food trucks where churros and hot chocolates are aplenty. The Christmas Village also has an ice-skating rink.
Nia said “being an elf requires thinking on the spot and lots of energy” and felt “privileged to be a part of so many people's Christmases. She added: "It really is the most special time of year.”
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