Described in publicity materials as "a family feast of carnival, comedy and Christmas cheer," the production will begin performances Dec. 22, for a run through Jan. 3, 2010. The company, who previously brought their Shakespeare Party to the Globe in 2008, began its life in Cornwall in 1971, rehearsing in a barn owned by the Foot family, hence its name. In 1984 the company left Britain to take its brand of theatre to international audiences and remained without a base until 1991 when a farm was purchased in central France, La Chaussée. That base is now both a fully equipped production center complete with workshops, rehearsal space, office and studios but also a center for education. Over the last 15 years Footsbarn has organized and staged numerous workshops, which have been taught by both actors from the company as well as professionals associated with Footsbarn.

Christmas Cracker is described as a "midwinter celebration of London's rich, bawdy, pagan past, drawing from festive traditions, and inspired by the complete works of Shakespeare." The show will feature "a three-headed Shakespeare, who will recite poetry and discover words that have never been heard for Juliette walking the tightrope, for Bottom and for King Lear (or are they the same), and for the Lord of Misrule who ensures that all the laws are broken in his hedonistic realm."

To book tickets, contact the box office at 020 7401 9919 or 0871 297 0749 or visit www.shakespeares-globe.org.