Swindon actor Marc Parrett is showcasing his puppetry skills in a new production of the children’s favourite The Elves And The Shoemaker this Christmas.

Marc has had an incredible year as he made his Sydney Opera House debut, singing and dancing in the nursery school favourite We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.

Back in his home town for Christmas, Marc, performing as Puppets4Peas, has created a show for the young ones which is plum pudding full of music, dancing, audience participation and of course shoes.

Marc not only operates puppets but actually creates them including a flying Aslan puppet, and an army of ghoulish monsters for Leeds Playhouse’s production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The Elves and The Shoemaker is a more intimate affair and will be performed at the aptly named Shoebox Theatre in Swindon’s Theatre Square from December 15 to Sunday December 23.

Marc said: “The Shoebox is a wonderful and important venue right in the heart of Swindon. It’s the perfect space to perform theatre work of this size as the audience are never far away from the action. Who knows this time, I might even ask the audience to join in!”

The Christmas show is set around the story of Mr Shooz the shoemaker who is totally disheartened with his job until he begins to find some stunning shoes and beautiful boots left on his work bench every morning. Marc said: “Is he shoemaking in his sleep, unlikely, or could tiny shivery creatures be creeping in at the stroke of midnight to do some magical moonlight making?’’

The actor is no stranger to the Shoebox Theatre having directed Bee Daws production of The Girl Who Was Swallowed By A Giant for its UK premiere.

Puppets4Peas has created a number of shows including The Little Red Hen, The enormous Turnip and Three Little Pigs.

Marc said: “I thought I might call my new company Puppets for Peace, as I had a strong desire to make work that was open, friendly and inclusive. Then I discovered there was already a theatre company with that name. Rather than give up on the idea I changed the word Peace into Peas and found a moniker that perfectly represents the happy/bonkers/welcoming quality of my work!”

To book tickets for the show visit www.shoeboxthetre.org.uk/whatson