It’s snowtime at the New Vic this noël as North Staffordshire plays host to fun-filled frolics and dancing in the aisles Sixties-style, courtesy of Uncle Eric.  

Starting in 1999 as a one-night-only event, Uncle Eric’s New Vic visit has fast become a North Staffordshire tradition, with the unique brand of nostalgia, ‘60s music and side-splitting comedy attracting record-breaking audiences.

Over a decade later, the multi-talented cast of actors and musiciansstill guarantee a night of belly laughs and festive fun that will jingle your bells.

Snow joke
Christmas 1969 looks like it’s going to be a white one. By December, the snow lies deep and crisp and even. The forecast is for plenty more to come. And Eric thinks the festive season has arrived early when Madge inherits a sackload of money. The only problem is how to get his hands on it.

So it’s tidings of comfort and joy when Eric finds a bookmaker still prepared to take bets on whether it will snow on Christmas Day. He puts all Madge’s money on a white Christmas and, when he wins, will keep the profits – with Madge none the wiser! It’s a foolproof plan - what could possibly go wrong?

But then the freak heatwave arrives and Eric’s not a merry gentleman! Amid the quickest thaw in history, he’s got just three days to find a way to win his bet, get Madge her money back, and save his own skin. He starts by getting a seasonal job at the Met Office…

Loveable loser
Actor and producer David Graham has been bringing loveable loser Uncle Eric to the New Vic for over a decade.

He said:“When I first brought Eric here, he was on tour, but since then Newcastle has become somewhere really special for him with a new script written each time he comes back, especially for the New Vic” he says.

The recognition I get from the people here is amazing. It’s like being in a soap opera. When I’m not working, I’ll go down into Newcastle and do some shopping and people will stop me. They’ll talk to me as if I’m Uncle Eric. It’s fabulous!”

On his ageing would-be lothario alter ego, David says, “Eric is a great British loser, and we love that. Whatever he does, whatever he says, we know he is not going to succeed. That’s probably why people have taken him to their hearts!”

Uncle Eric's White Christmas runs until Wed 15 December. Tickets, which cost from £13.50 - 18.50 (with concessions available) are available from the Box Office on 01782 717962, or book online.