ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre Community Theatre Company presents a Christmas musical this December.

The Little Match Girl combines song, dance and moving, and an uplifting story to create a seasonal mood in the run up to festivities, and it does so with a cast of over 40 children, teenagers and adults.

The Little Match Girl is a wonderful musical play set in London at Christmas 1880. It is about a poor girl selling matches in the cold London streets and her friends, the young servant Arthur and the kind, wealthy young girl, Charlotte.

Her father Jebb is cruel, forcing her to work long hours. She moves through the streets, lighting matches to keep warm, and then, through the flames, witnesses magical images and experiences moments of real joy and happiness.

There is music, drama, song – including the seasonal classic Mistletoe and Wine – and dreamlike sequences, with comedy and social comment in equal measure.

Director Barbara Hogger said: “The cast has been working hard in rehearsals since September. The children and young people have created wonderful performances. That is what is great about community theatre – all ages get a chance to participate and produce something by the community for the community. We have a very special show!”

The Little Match Girl is on at 7.30pm from Thursday to Saturday, 21 to 23 December, with a matinee at 2pm on Saturday.

For more of what’s on in your area, see this week’s paper, on sale tomorrow