Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales is a seasonal favourite in Wales and beyond, and this wonderful evocation of a child’s delight at the festive season has become famous the world over. Richard Burton’s A Christmas Story is not as well known, but is a funny, warm and thought provoking account of childhood memories…in many ways it was a conscious response to Dylan Thomas’ own childhood narrative. Told by award-winning actors Adrian Metcalfe and James Scannell, this evening’s festive entertainment has been described by the press as ‘masterful story-telling’ and ‘perfect festive fare’.

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Part One: A Child’s Christmas in Wales

‘Snow grew overnight on the roofs of the houses’

Part Two: A Christmas Story

‘There were very few white Christmases in my part of Wales when I was a boy’

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Dylan Thomas and Richard Burton are icons of twentieth century Wales. They have produced stories about Christmas in Wales that rival Charles Dickens’ short stories about Christmas in nineteenth century England. In some ways  Thomas and Burton can be accused of inventing Christmas in exactly the same way Dickens is responsible for creating the Christmas that we enjoy so wholeheartedly.

For all of that, however, Burton and Thomas were actors whose love of words shines through these two short but heart warming stories.

Described by the South Wales Evening Post as ‘a joy’, this ‘Welsh Icons Xmas show’ performed by two actors has proved hugely popular. We will be back with A Child’s Christmas in the December of 2026.

Audience Reactions to the tour of 2025

“Two mesmerising performances. A wonderful afternoon of festive theatre.”

“We attended this performance at the Grand Theatre, Swansea on 9th Dec and it was absolutely superb. The whole audience was spell bound. Top class. Please can we have more.”

“Another first class performance from Lighthouse Theatre. Two actors who had us spellbound at Maesteg Town Hall. Bravo!”

Cast and Creatives

Director: Joe Harmston

Sound Design: Tony Davies

Storytellers: Adrian Metcalfe and James Scannell.

Set Design, Construction and Upholstery: Joe Harmston