Pupils will go bananas when a group of performers visit their school with their quirky Christmas tale in December.

Completing 43 shows in 21 days, Tauranga Youth Work Trust Cool Bananas is bringing its Travelling Christmas Story Show – ‘A Bell-in-Times Christmas' – to 35 schools in Bay of Plenty, Waihi and Hamilton from November 18 to December 21.

The Cool Bananas team Kyle Keogh, Janel Ferguson, Anna Keogh, Stuart Paterson, Leah Carroll and Nathan Pratt rehearsing their Travelling Christmas Story Show. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Operating for 20 years, the trust visits Tauranga schoolchildren weekly with its dynamic fun-packed programmes that reinforce values for a positive culture at home and at school.

But creative media and design coordinator Kyle Keogh says they save the best for last, taking their final show on the road.

'For 15 years we've presented the Cool Bananas Christmas Show and it's grown bigger and more impressive each year.

'We now do 43 shows within a three-week period presenting at schools during the week and in church services on a Sunday.”

Headed by a talented 10-strong cast, the free show is filled with drama, dance, singing, quirky costumes, humour and complete childlike randomness.

'You've never seen the Christmas Story told like this,” says Kyle. 'Each year is completely different to the year before with a whole new twist to the story that never fails to bring delight to our audiences of all ages.”

Play writer Karena Vincent says this year's show is a story about acceptance, unity and loving others.

'It's about a clash between two cultures and we're doing it in a quirky and colourful style. 'You really use your imagination with this story. At every school we invite up to 15 actors who come on stage and be part of the story as well, so it becomes that school's story.”

The Youth Trust visits Te Puna Primary School first on November 18. School shows are for pupils only, with church shows open to public.

For show dates, visit www.coolbananas.org.nz