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Relocated Get Santa Narrative Unreachable: The Prudes of Contemporary Dramatists

Elton Hayes

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Published in Anthony Neilson Plays: 3: Relocated Get Santa Narrative Unreachable The Prudes (Contemporary Dramatists)

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The Santa Claus narrative has long been a staple of Christmas celebrations around the world. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend among contemporary dramatists to relocate the Santa story from its traditional North Pole setting to more contemporary urban environments. This shift has been met with mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike, with some praising the new interpretations of the classic tale, while others have criticized them for being too radical or disrespectful of the original story.

In this article, we will explore the relocation of the Santa narrative from its traditional North Pole setting to more contemporary urban environments, and how this shift has been received by contemporary dramatists. We will examine the challenges and opportunities that this relocation presents, and how it has influenced the way that Santa is portrayed on stage.

Anthony Neilson Plays: 3: Relocated; Get Santa!; Narrative; Unreachable; The Prudes (Contemporary Dramatists)

by Anthony Neilson

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	434 pages

The Traditional Santa Claus Narrative

The traditional Santa Claus narrative is a familiar one. Santa Claus is a jolly old man who lives at the North Pole with his elves and reindeer. On Christmas Eve, he flies around the world in his sleigh, delivering presents to children who have been good throughout the year. This narrative has been passed down through generations, and it remains the most popular version of the Santa story today.

However, there have been a number of contemporary dramatists who have challenged the traditional Santa Claus narrative. These dramatists have relocated the Santa story to more contemporary urban environments, such as New York City, London, and Los Angeles. This shift has allowed them to explore new themes and ideas, and to create new interpretations of the classic tale.

One of the most famous examples of a relocated Santa Claus narrative is the play "SantaLand Diaries" by David Sedaris. This play is set in a department store Santa's workshop, and it follows the experiences of a young man who works as a Santa Claus impersonator. The play is a humorous and often satirical look at the commercialization of Christmas, and it has been praised for its sharp wit and its insights into the human condition.

Another example of a relocated Santa Claus narrative is the play "The Santa Clause" by Jeff Daniels. This play is set in a small town in Michigan, and it follows the story of a man who is accidentally chosen to be the new Santa Claus. The play is a heartwarming and humorous look at the challenges and rewards of being Santa Claus, and it has been praised for its positive message and its memorable characters.

The Challenges of Relocating the Santa Claus Narrative

There are a number of challenges that come with relocating the Santa Claus narrative from its traditional North Pole setting to a more contemporary urban environment. One of the biggest challenges is how to maintain the magic and wonder of the original story. The North Pole is a magical place, and it is difficult to recreate that same sense of magic in a more urban setting.

Another challenge is how to portray Santa Claus in a way that is believable and relatable to contemporary audiences. The traditional Santa Claus is a larger-than-life figure, and it can be difficult to make him seem believable in a more realistic setting. Contemporary dramatists have had to find new ways to portray Santa Claus that are both believable and engaging.

Finally, there is the challenge of how to make the Santa Claus narrative relevant to contemporary audiences. The traditional Santa Claus story is based on a Christian tradition, and it can be difficult to make it relevant to audiences who do not share that tradition. Contemporary dramatists have had to find new ways to make the Santa Claus story relevant to a more diverse audience.

The Opportunities of Relocating the Santa Claus Narrative

Despite the challenges, there are also a number of opportunities that come with relocating the Santa Claus narrative to a more contemporary urban environment. One of the biggest opportunities is the ability to explore new themes and ideas. The traditional Santa Claus narrative is a relatively simple story, and it can be difficult to find new ways to tell it. However, by relocating the story to a more contemporary setting, dramatists have been able to explore new themes and ideas, such as the commercialization of Christmas, the challenges of being a good person in a difficult world, and the importance of family and community.

Another opportunity that comes with relocating the Santa Claus narrative is the ability to create new interpretations of the classic tale. The traditional Santa Claus story is a well-known and beloved story, but it can also be seen as limiting. By relocating the story to a more contemporary setting, dramatists have been able to create new interpretations of the classic tale that are more relevant to contemporary audiences.

Finally, there is the opportunity to reach a new audience. The traditional Santa Claus narrative is often seen as a children's story, but by relocating the story to a more contemporary setting, dramatists have been able to reach a new audience of adults. This new audience is often looking for more complex and challenging stories, and they have been receptive to the new interpretations of the Santa Claus story that contemporary dramatists have created.

The relocation of the Santa Claus narrative from its traditional North Pole setting to more contemporary urban environments is a trend that is likely to continue in the years to come. This trend is being driven by a number of factors, including the changing demographics of audiences, the rise of new technologies, and the increasing diversity of our society. Contemporary dramatists are finding new ways to tell the Santa Claus story that are both relevant and engaging to contemporary audiences. These new interpretations are challenging our traditional notions of Santa Claus, and they are opening up new possibilities for the future of the Santa Claus story.

References

* Daniels, Jeff. The Santa Clause. New York: Samuel French, Inc., 1994. * Sedaris, David. SantaLand Diaries. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1992. * Tatar, Maria. Santa Claus: A Biography. New York: Yale University Press, 2014.

Anthony Neilson Plays: 3: Relocated; Get Santa!; Narrative; Unreachable; The Prudes (Contemporary Dramatists)

by Anthony Neilson

4.8 out of 5