Beaulieu tells us:
(Photograph and all words from Beaulieu).
Vans have been rolling into Beaulieu this week with a 14ft pantomime dame, fantastical mummer creatures, life-size Pollock theatre and theatrical installations to tell the magical story of pantomime in A Palace House Christmas.
Designers extraordinaire Charlotte Lloyd Webber and Adrian Lillie – who have created award-winning installations at heritage properties across the UK with their CLW Event Design team – are transforming the Montagu family home into a festive masterpiece.
A Palace House Christmas will open to visitors from Saturday 29th November – Sunday 4th January (excluding Christmas Day).
Charlotte Lloyd Webber says: “This is our first theatrical installation on the south coast and we are delighted to create it in the perfect backdrop of Palace House. We are especially pleased to use artwork by Lord Montagu’s mother, as well as the Montagu heraldic diamond-shaped lozenges in our Harlequin design.
“We want visitors to be spellbound while they are trying to take everything in at A Palace House Christmas at Beaulieu. We are used to people coming back more than once to see all of the stunning details in our designs.”
Charlotte, who lives and breathes the theatre, is drawing on vast experience to bedeck Palace House stately rooms with theatrical lighting and atmospheric soundscapes. While running Oxford Shakespeare Company, she worked with acclaimed costume designer Adrian Lillie and they continue to combine their talents to create Christmas magic for visitors.
Charlotte explains: “My role starts with big ideas at the start of creations to adding finishing touches at the end, while Adrian’s fabulous costumes also translate into beautiful trees and decorations.”
Adrian adds: “We pride ourselves on the different scales of our work, from the life-size Pollock theatre around the grand fireplace in the Lower Drawing Room to the dressing room boudoirs above, filled with feathers, floristry and glamorous gowns.”
Their visitor experience will start as Masked Harlequin mannequins ‘greet’ visitors at the door of Palace House, before following swags of lavish, colourful decorations up the grand staircase to a mirrored catwalk of principal boy mannequins and Pierrot in a crescent moon.
While a travelling handcart will be overspilling with props, costumes and musical instruments in the Fountain Courtyard, a midnight banquet is laid with sugary treats and jewel-themed glassware in the Dining Hall.
Their shocking pink faux Christmas tree, with twirls and clusters of jewelled fruits and gemstone-inspired decorations, will join Beaulieu’s 20ft centrepiece dressed in a Harlequin theme.
To book your on or off-peak time slot to see A Palace House Christmas during your visit to Beaulieu see beaulieu.co.uk/events/a-palace-house-christmas/.
Your ticket includes entry to the National Motor Museum, new exhibitions Disney and Pixar Cars and We Had One Of Those, fun adventure playground Little Beaulieu, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, the Secret Army Exhibition, unlimited rides on the tree-top monorail and beautiful grounds and gardens.
Finish your tour with a tasty festive treat in Palace House courtyard, where bratwurst hotdogs, sausage rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake will be served as optional extras, with hot chocolate, mulled wine and cider.
Or complete your day out by booking a special festive afternoon tea in the historic abbey Domus, where a stand of delicious sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones will be brought to your table with a warming cup of tea or coffee and the option of a celebratory glass of Prosecco.
You can even take a little of the Christmas magic home with you, from the tempting range of A Palace House Christmas themed baubles and decorations available in the Palace House gift shop.
For details and tickets to A Palace House Christmas at Beaulieu in the New Forest, Hampshire see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/a-palace-house-christmas/ or call 01590 612345.