ARC Stockton and The Albany in Deptford are seeking to commission two new Christmas shows for children aged 3 to– 7. Each show will be presented in one venue in 2017, and then in the other venue in 2018.

The commission packages include £40,000 funding plus wrap-around in-kind support. It seeks to support two companies to make exciting and diverse Christmas shows which have a wide appeal to local primary schools, nurseries and family audiences in both South East London and the North-East.

Each successful company will make and present a new show, in one venue in 2017 and the other in 2018, delivering up to 50 performances in December 2017 and December 2018.

Gavin Barlow, chief executive at the Albany says: “These commissions will allow us to provide work of the highest quality to our family audiences at Christmas. The commissions grew out of a shared desire across our organisations to provide exciting, original and excellent work for our audiences, and to champion companies capable of making that work.”

Annabel Turpin, chief executive at Arc, says: “We’re looking for companies who can bring a contemporary approach – taking familiar titles or a seasonal theme and use them to create something that reflects modern British audiences. By commissioning new work for our performance spaces we hope to create shows which will provide exceptional first experiences of theatre for children and families.”

The deadline for applications is 10am, Monday, April 4. To apply, and to view the full details of the commissions, visit arconline.co.uk and look under the Artists/Opportunities section for details.