Belle and Sebastien: a Christmas show for children and young families

Directed by Heidi Vaughan, who will begin her new role as artistic director of Tobacco Factory Theatres in January 2023, Belle and Sebastien is a Christmas theatre show aimed at young children and their families.

Coming to Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio on December 2, the production will run until January 8, with multiple showtimes daily.

The story follows six-year-old Sebastien, played by Bristol Old Vic newcomer Mogali Masuku, and Belle the dog, brought to life by Felix Hayes, who has appeared in previous in-house productions including A Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre and Dr Semmelweis.

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Billed as “a story of love and friendship set against the backdrop of snowy mountains and stormy relationships”, the show is based on the much-loved 1966 French novel by Cécile Aubry – a tale that led to TV and anime adaptations in the ensuring decades, along with a feature fim and two sequels.

The two actors, Hayes and Masuku caught up with Bristol24/7 to talk Christmas shows, getting into character, and working with Travelling Light Theatre Company at Bristol Old Vic – two bastions of the theatrical landscape in the south west.

Can you introduce us to the story of Belle and Sebastien?

MM: “Belle and Sebastien is a love story about two friends who don’t know they miss each other until they find each other.”

FH: “It is a story about friendship – between a massive dog and a six-year-old boy. I grew up watching the slightly odd, but brilliant cartoon of Belle and Sebastian on Sunday mornings – and always thought “I wish my dog was that big”. Ha! Then I enjoyed the band too.

“But we have taken inspiration from the French children’s novel Belle and Sebastien (by Cécile Aubry), which tells the story of a growing friendship between Sebastien, a six-year-old orphan and a stray Pyrenean mountain dog, Belle.

“Both are outsiders, and both find what they are looking for in each other. It is about finding the things that connect us to each other not the things that divide us; opening your arms wide to the world – and I think we all need that. Particularly at the moment.”

How would you sum up the artistic challenges inherent in playing a dog, and a six-year-old child, respectively?

FH: “Playing a dog certainly has its challenges. I can tell you now that being a dog is exhausting! But it is so full of joy, too. I grew up with a dog, so am stealing a lot from him.

“I suppose the biggest challenge is understanding how a dog thinks and how it sees (or should that be smells…?) the world, and then finding out how to translate that to the stage. It is certainly a lot of fun exploring those challenges.”

MM: “The challenge is the same as it is in playing any other character. It’s about finding his voice, so I can understand him, and then not being afraid of leaning into the parts of him that echo those same parts of me.”

Felix, as a Bristol Old Vic regular, can you sum up the magic of a Christmas show in particular?

FH: “I love Christmas shows. LOVE THEM. There is something simple about the task of creating a Christmas show – the first thing a Christmas show needs to be is full of love. Full of joy. Full of entertainment. It is in their DNA.

“They can tell magical or challenging stories – but they have got to be full of hope and kindness. So while for me, the best ones contain elements of darkness, ultimately it is about finding that joy and hope. And as a performer, having that as a driving force throughout the production means I get to feed on those emotions too.”

What is it about Travelling Light, and Heidi Vaughan’s directorial style, that attracted you to this production?

MM: “At our meetings, Heidi was warm and highly imaginative, and she just steers the ship so brilliantly. And then Travelling Light as a company embodies the ethos of collaboration and creativity; it’s amazing to be here. I’m so blessed.”

FH: “I am also so excited to be working with Heidi on this project – I think we have a similar approach to theatre-making and that is making rehearsal a real thrill.

“And Travelling Light? A Bristol institution – they always produce work that delights and challenges me. They do amazing work with people across the city. And I have had a relationship with them ever since they gave me my first job after I moved here nearly 20 years ago.”

For those families with young children who may not have been to a theatre show before, what would you say to draw them in?

MM: “For the adults, this play is as much of a story and a journey for you as it is for the children; you are never left out.

“For the children, the adventure and the language of the play is yours, and I think that’s such a wonderful thing to have in a world that’s so big – an hour to hold in your heart as ours.”

FH: “This show sums up Christmas for me. It is a big shaggy snowy show full of love and laughter. And some twinkly lights.”

Finally, Mogali – as a newcomer, how are you feeling about making your Bristol Old Vic debut?

MM: “First of all, let’s not talk about it – as my heart races and my eyes try to bulge out of my head. Goodness me! This is my life!”

Belle and Sebastien (age recommendation 4+) is at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic from December 2-January 8 2023; showtimes vary, including ‘pyjama nights’ on selected Fridays. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

All photos: Camilla Adams

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