Up the Chimney

On Christmas Eve, siblings Jack and Polly eagerly await Santa's arrival, only to receive devastating news: Santa Claus has fallen ill and cannot deliver gifts. A mysterious little green man appears with a letter from the North Pole, and the children resolve to help. Using magical fairy items left for them, the siblings embark on an extraordinary journey to deliver medicine to Santa himself. Written as a play for young performers, Shepherd Knapp's early 20th-century work channels the pure belief of childhood into a story about agency, courage, and the willingness to help those in need. The narrative centers on two children who refuse to accept that Christmas is ruined, instead taking matters into their own hands. The play concludes with a joyous Christmas morning, where the magic of generosity and love restores both Santa and the holiday.