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After the death of children’s theatre stalwart Tim Bray earlier this year, his longtime collaborator Tim Raby will reprise his role as Santa’s Stunt Double in Bray’s much-loved The Santa Claus Show at Centrestage Theatre in Ōrewa.
Bray was a major figure in New Zealand youth theatre and founded the Tim Bray Theatre Company, producing high-quality children’s productions for more than three decades. He died earlier this year of cancer. The last performance of The Santa Claus Show at the PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna was staged in December 2024.
Centrestage Theatre managers Ross and Stephanie McKellar were close friends of Bray, and their daughter performed in his final Santa Claus Show.
Before he died, Bray gifted Centrestage the sets, props and costumes so the show could continue, Raby says, with the intention that it become part of his legacy on the Hibiscus Coast.
Bray and Raby met in 1991. “We’d joke that we had the same names, just spelt different,” Raby says.
Bray’s passion was youth theatre, and the pair first worked together at the former Auckland Youth Theatre in downtown Auckland.
“Tim and I would be up at three in the morning, building the rostrums, sets and lighting.”
Bray originally wrote The Santa Claus Show for his niece, and it became an annual tradition. When the show closed last year, many families were disappointed, Raby says, but the McKellars stepped forward.
“Tim asked if anyone wanted to continue and Stephanie and Ross said, ‘We would love to.’ Tim and the Trust handed on everything with a blessing to continue and Ross rang me and asked me if I’d like to do it, and I said of course, especially for Tim.”
Raby says the show retains its heart and the spirit of Christmas.
“There’s a magic of Christmas which we always perceive is for children, but Christmas does something magical to people that makes them more caring, giving and loving. I adore Christmas.
“Playing Santa’s Stunt Double is tapping into many things but also into how much I loved Santa and Christmas.”
This year’s production includes some changes, including a larger cast and the involvement of children with special needs, “which is delightful”.
In keeping with Bray’s legacy, children attending the show are encouraged to dress as Christmas characters or in their favourite costume. A costume parade will be held on stage before each performance.
Theatre patrons can also bring a wrapped gift to place under the Christmas tree in the foyer (mark the wrapping with age suitability). Gifts will be donated at the end of the season to Ronald McDonald House and Starship Oncology Ward. Donations can also be dropped off during box office hours, Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.
Performances take place Friday December 19 at 7pm, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 at 10.30am and 1pm daily.
Tickets $25 Adult/Senior, $20 Children 14 and under, Family Group Pass for minimum Four people $21 per ticket.
Bookings: www.centrestagetheatre.co.nz or phone 09 426 7282.
