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Christmas is fast upon us, a time for reflection on the year passing, and a time to look past ourselves and to consider people less fortunate than ourselves and to reach out to them, with kindness and compassion.
The great British writer Charles Dickens speaks to this eloquently with his classic novella A CHRISTMAS CAROL which was first published in 1843.
Such is the power and resonance of Dickens tale that in Melbourne there is currently one mainstream Old Vic production of it playing at the Melbourne Comedy Theatre starring David Wenham as Ebenezer Scrooge, as well as a new opera by Graeme Koehne adapted from Dickens tale which will open next week for a short season at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda.
Kirribilli’s Ensemble Theatre is currently playing a season of Dickens tale in a fresh adaptation by prominent playwright Hilary Bell and starring her beloved, celebrated father John Bell as Scrooge.
This is a fun, very warm and lively retelling of Dickens tale. The time passed too quickly. The show started with a brief singalong of a few pop standards which set the casual, convivial tone for the evening.
One of Sydney’s finest directors Damien Ryan helmed the production with plenty of flair and theatricality. His creative team each made special contributions; Ailsa Paterson designed a functional set within the limits that the set has to be shared with another play BOXING DAY which will run in tandem.
Damien Ryan, one of Sydney’s most highly regarded directors, helmed the show, and had a good creative team working with him. Danielle Maas was the Assistant Director. Ailsa Paterson designed a minimalistic set with piano which had to fit in with the set of another play BOXING DAY which the Ensemble Theatre is running in tandem. Genevieve Graham designed the colourful costumes. Matt Cox lit the stage well. Musical Director Daryl Wallis was silky smooth on the piano, and Philip Johnston composed the ghost story kind of music.
The performances were a treat, led by John Bell as Scrooge and Mr Crummles, and another much loved Sydney actress Valerie Bader Mrs Crummles plus other roles. Favourite other performances were by Jay James-Moody as Scrooge’s hapless, set-upon clerk, Bob Cratchit, Emily McKnight who did some great puppetry work, ‘holding up’ a puppet of Tiny Tim, and Anthony Taufa, in roles such as Marley and Xmas Present, who has such a likeable, light stage presence
In a poignant note, at curtain call, John Bell announced that there would be Smith Family Donation buckets left outside both doors of the theatre and that it would be appreciated if theatregoers could dip into their pockets and give a donation. To add weight to his request, Bell mentioned that, at any given time, more than 20,000 people in Sydney are rendered homeless. To think that one of our former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke pledged that his government would end poverty. Well politicians are known for making big statements that they don’t live up.
‘Tis the season for goodwill. Enjoy the Ensemble Theatre’s contribution to it. A CHRISTMAS CAROL, written by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Hilary Bell, is playing the Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli until 29 December 2022. Running time 80 minutes without interval. Recommended for ages 8 and above.
Production photography by Jaimi Joy