The title immediately raises eyebrows: A Tiny Christmas Carol.
So what exactly does that mean? Is it a miniature set? Is it just a snippet of the famous Charles Dickens classic that we all know so well?
No, the reference to tiny in the Christmas show at the Chemainus Theatre running from Dec. 2-23 simply means a production that would normally encompass a large cast to tell the tale is much smaller. But tiny certainly does not define the roles of the performers who all become larger than life during a constant transition into a multitude of characters.
You just wonB次元官网网址檛 find the entire Cratchett clan, for example, assembled at the dinner table.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 Scrooge (Louise Phillips) and then just four actors in the ensemble B次元官网网址� Emma Slipp, Jay Clift, Yasmin DB次元官网网址橭shun and Stephen Thakkar B次元官网网址� to portray all the others in the new adaptation by Jessica Schacht and Chemainus Theatre Festival artistic director Mark DuMez.
The slow return from COVID restrictions has necessitated reduced casts for all Chemainus Theatre shows this season. But that hasnB次元官网网址檛 diminished the charm of the productions in the least and this is another prime example.
Ming Hudson, originally from Edmonton and now Vancouver-based whoB次元官网网址檚 been transitioning her career during the lean COVID years, makes her debut at the Chemainus Theatre as director of the performance.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been seeing shows here for a really long time,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 also an actor. I havenB次元官网网址檛 had the pleasure of working here in any capacity. It feels really cool to be here.B次元官网网址�
Working on such an interesting project for her is a bonus.
B次元官网网址淭he audience is going to recognize the characters and the story,B次元官网网址� Hudson pointed out for starters.
B次元官网网址淚 think our audience should also expect the unexpected. ItB次元官网网址檚 the same story with the same characters but itB次元官网网址檚 going to look a lot different than theyB次元官网网址檙e used to.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址楨xpect the unexpectedB次元官网网址� might be a great tagline for theatre companies to use. After all, thatB次元官网网址檚 what keeps audiences engaged, entertained and enlightened without entirely predictable scripts.
B次元官网网址淚 try to make a show that maybe challenges the way people remember the story,B次元官网网址� said Hudson. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 still set in period times. It just has more of a contemporary feel to it.B次元官网网址�
Needless to say, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 an extremely versatile cast,B次元官网网址� Hudson said that sheB次元官网网址檚 had the pleasure of working with during rehearsals that began Nov. 8 and advanced to the costume stage last week in preparation for the opening Friday.
There were a few hiccups with two cast members out with COVID for a week, but everything has still developed nicely.
B次元官网网址淲e have an understudy whoB次元官网网址檚 jumped in and is amazing,B次元官网网址� Hudson said of Talietha Sangha. B次元官网网址淚 think the cast has rallied and come together to create something magical.B次元官网网址�
Hudson has also been loving the collaborative effort thatB次元官网网址檚 gone into A Tiny Christmas Carol.
From design concepts to the action on the stage, everything has been done as a collective.
B次元官网网址淚t was sort of my job to funnel them into one cohesive piece,B次元官网网址� Hudson noted.
With this valuable experience added to her resume, sheB次元官网网址檚 going to keep all her future options open.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not going to say IB次元官网网址檒l never act again,B次元官网网址� said Hudson. B次元官网网址淏ut this has been a real pleasure.B次元官网网址�
Through all the bah humbugs, the true feeling of this joyous time of the year rings clear in A Tiny Christmas Carol.
B次元官网网址淲e hope that this show lifts your spirits and brings a little bit more colour to your holiday season,B次元官网网址� said Hudson.
Tickets are still available for the show at , but all space in the dining room is sold out for the three weeks.
A Tiny Christmas Carol will set the table for an announcement in early January about the Chemainus Theatre FestivalB次元官网网址檚 2023 schedule.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
