It's that time of the year once again...and John Lewis have taken things in a different direction this year.
The most anticipated advert of the year has finally been released to the public this morning.
And this year, the company has taken things in quite a different direction to usual.
After John Lewis toned things down and took it back to basics with its annual festive commercial in 2022, choosing to “shine a light on the overlooked issue” of children in the UK foster care system amid the rising cost of living crisis, the meaning behind this year’s ad isn’t quite so poignant… or at least, we think?
Image: John Lewis
With a Venus flytrap being the star of the show, and an Italian opera song by one of the genre’s most-famous names providing the soundtrack, the retailer definitely seems to have switched things up for 2023.
Titled Snapper: The Perfect Tree, and with the promotional strapline ‘Let Your Traditions Grow’, John Lewis’ refreshed approach to its festive marketing this year is one that focuses on fostering and nurturing family seasonal traditions… but not it the most obvious way.
The advert follows a young boy who begs his Grandma to let him buy a seed in a box from their local market, before showing him lovingly-nurturing the seed into a plant with the belief he’s growing a spectacular Christmas tree.
Image: John Lewis
But to his surprise, it’s not a Christmas tree at all, and actually turns out to be a Venus flytrap with a playful personality – which the boy names ‘Snapper’.
Despite not being traditional, Snapper wants to join in all the fun of Christmas anyway, but he sadly grows too big for the living room and is then cast out into the cold garden outside.
As the two-minute ad continues, we see Snapper eventually welcomed back into the home, after he dishes out presents with such joy and enthusiasm that the family finds new joy in gathering around their unconventional Christmas tree.
So as you can see, it’s not what many were expecting.
The soundtrack of John Lewis’ Christmas ads are always another talking point, and are usually covers of well-known or under-appreciated songs and often performed by upcoming artists, but this year, the music is provided by the legendary tenor, Andrea Bocelli performing a song called ‘Festa’.
The Italian opera song was written and produced by Le Feste Antonacci specifically for the John Lewis advert.
Image: John Lewis
“Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special,” explained Charlotte Lock, who is the Customer Director at John Lewis, “and this film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions.
“It shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.”
John Lewis’ Marketing Director, Rosie Hanley, says the retailer hopes the nation “falls in love” with the wannabe Christmas tree Snapper “as much as we have”.
“He embodies what’s magical about Christmas – bringing loved ones together, holding on to what we all love about Christmas traditions and embracing new ones.”
You can watch the 2023 John Lewis Christmas advert in full here.
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Yorkshire residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic people from Yorkshire are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at TESTBED in February from from Thursday 12 to Sunday 22 specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2023 
