CHRISTMAS spirit is coming early to an Essex pub for a performance of a performer's first ever festive album before its official release.

The Blue Boar in Maldon is set to host an exciting festive event as macTheatre welcome musicians Charlie Dore and Julian Littman to perform Dore's first ever Christmas EP, The Man Who Built Christmas, among other sets as part of the evening programme.

Charlie and Julian have been regular performers at the historic venue but Covid restrictions means it’s been three years since Maldon audiences have seen the duo on stage.

Multi-award winner Charlie Dore realised through her long career she had never written a song about Christmas.

So with her long-time collaborator Julian Littman of Steeleye Span she will swap guitars, piano, mandolin, harmonium, ukulele, banjo and stories as they showcase some of these new originals.

They will also perform favourites from her past nine albums including the latest, Like Animals, with songs observing human nature in all it’s complexities.

Charlie said: "My whole catalogue was an entirely Christmas-free zone, which was fine by me, that is, except for one song, Santa and Edie, which I wrote for the Green Note, Camden’s Festive Show last year.

"This whet my appetite for approaching the whole Christmas in my own way.

"It was like making miniature movies with the listener behind the camera.

"I hadn’t written at all during lockdown, I was completely blocked - but this finally fired my imagination."

Charlie has written for hit artists Tina Turner, George Harrison, Celine Dion and Paul Carrack.

Along the way she's had a UK number one, a US number four and top ten hits in Germany, Italy and France.

But her live shows reveal she often keeps the best songs for herself.

Nicola Esson, macTheatre organiser, said: "We are so privileged to have Charlie and Julian here again. The show will sound exquisite in this unique venue and is truly not to be missed but please book in advance as seating is limited as we are keeping numbers restricted."

Tickets are £15 and can be bought online at wegottickets.com.

Or buy them on macTheatre’s website - mactheatre.org.uk.