EXPLORE the origins of the winter festival with a new Christmas production.

Mactheatre presents ‘The Holly and the Ivy....and The Mistletoe’ which will be performed by local professional actors Barrie Jaimeson and Nicola Esson.

Mr Jamieson said: “The show explores the origins of the winter festival journeying from the Roman festival of Saturnalia, through the Victorian Era, right up to the modern day.”

The show promises “enchanting fireside Christmas entertainment” with readings, anecdotes, carols and Christmas songs.

And the actors will be impressing audiences with a wide range of instruments rumoured to include the penny whistle and the mandolin.

This rare Christmas entertainment is the first time mactheatre has worked towards such a project witht he words and music by Mr Jaimeson.

The husband and wife theatrical team of Barrie and Nicola are probably best known for their Shakespeare-in-the-Park community play which is performed each year.

The new production will be on show at South Woodham Ferrers village hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday December 16.

The second performance will be at Steeple village hall on Thursday December 18 at 7.30pm.

And the final performance will be at St Mary’s Church, Maldon, on Saturday December 20 also beginning at 7.30pm.

For more information on the show or the group visit www.mactheatre.co.uk For tickets call Maldon’s tourist information centre on 01621 856530 or One Place, Burnham, on 01621 784962.