Bruce Templeton debuting latest works
The North Pole was pleased to confirm on Tuesday that one of its greatest advocates will make a special holiday performance in St. John’s on Thursday, Dec. 14.
Santa’s assistant, Bruce Templeton, a Globe and Mail bestselling author who has released three books to date, will debut a series of new stories that he will perform at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John’s on that date.
The new show about a young boy, called “A Journey Back in Time with Nicholas,” will follow the character’s journey to find the perfect home for his teddy bear.
His latest work was actually a chapter omitted from his third book, “Twentyfour Teddy Bears,” at the request of his editor.
“When I wrote the third book, there was one chapter in it I absolutely loved,” Templeton said Wednesday via phone from Toronto.
“The editor told me not to include this chapter, as it would be good for the fourth book,” he added.
A trip through time
Templeton will take the audience along with Nicholas, back to 1939 where they’ll meet Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, before travelling even further back to nine other stops, including back to 280 AD, where Nicholas will get to meet St. Nicholas, and back one more stop to a place in Bethlehem where he sees a single star in the sky and a manger.
At every turn, Nicholas will land in a magical moment where he’ll be greeted by historical figures with ties to the holiday season.
“For 60 or 70 minutes, I want to take the audience on a journey, to share stories you have heard about St. Nicholas,” Templeton said.
“I will also be telling two or three personal stories from my own Santa journeys.”
At each stop, Templeton will lead the audience and Nicholas through fantastical folklore as they relive and discover the true history of Christmas.
Nicholas will learn the origins of the same teddy bear he’s seeking a home for in 1902, and then encounter Virginia O’hanlon (“Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus”) in 1897. Later in the show, Nicholas will land in 1843 and run into Charles Dickens as he pens “A Christmas Carol,” all before returning to 280 AD, where Nicholas will meet the saint who shares his name.
Known for his ability to lure an audience’s undivided attention through his delivery and content, Templeton uses his own life experiences to highlight virtues of life, family, youth and children.
He demonstrates community and business leadership through being an example, living by his motto that “it is your presence, not presents, that count.”
Templeton has dutifully assisted Santa for almost 40 years, is the only living Canadian inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame and has been knighted as a Knight of St. Nicholas.
The proceeds from all three of his books, including “The Man in the Red Suit” (2012), “The Man with the White Beard” (2014) and “Twenty-four Teddy Bears” (2016), have supported the Rotary International Polio Plus program.
Bar service will be available for those 19+ and the venue is fully accessible. The Newfoundland Chocolate Company is also supporting the production and will be on hand with a few treats and information on their confections at the event, at the perfect time of year.
Tickets are $23 (plus applicable Eventbrite service fees) and are available online at https://manintheredsuit .wordpress. com/tickets or through the event’s Facebook listing at https://www.facebook. com/manintheredsuit.
Seating will be limited for this event.