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A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A CHRISTMAS
CAROL
CHARLES DICKENS
ADAPTED BY MICHAEL SHAMATA
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approximate running time: 2 hours
there will be one 20 minute intermission
ARTIST NOTE: KAWA ADA
I’m a newbie to this show. There are a
few of us this year. I am proud to be part
of such a long tradition, with these fine
artists. The play never ceases to amaze.
There was a new discovery of some hidden
profundity within the text almost every
day during rehearsals. This is a testament
to Michael Shamata, but also to Dickens.
As Dickens was often preoccupied with
what we, today, would refer to as social
justice issues, the play continues to have
resonance. Class, equality, family, love, are
all central to the work. One other thing
has really stood out; it has to do with being
Good, and Goodness. Among the characters
I play is Mr. Fred – Scrooge’s nephew. Near
the beginning, Scrooge rails at Fred for
thinking so much of Christmas, scolding
him with “much good has it done you!”
Fred responds: “There are many things
from which I have derived good, by which
I have not profited, I dare say. Christmas
among them.”
It reminds me that, while I love this time
of year for the spirit of giving it brings out
in us, to be Good, to do Good deeds is far
more meaningful, I feel.
Of course, I have hope in the inherent
good of human beings. But what does it
mean to be consciously good? When I give,
do I give with good thoughts behind the
gift or, out of a sense of obligation. Are my
charitable contributions written out with
conscious thought toward those individuals
it will help? I think this philosophy is one
of the main chambers at the heart of this
beautiful play. It’s filled my heart. It is
a Good work. It gives Good consciously,
and I say: “God bless it!”
K AWA ADA in A Christmas Carol
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
CREATIVE TEAM
PRODUC T ION
CAS T
Michael Shamata
Joseph Ziegler
Ebenezer Scrooge
John Jarvis
Jacob Marley
Daniel Chapman-Smith
Spirit
Tangara Jones
Spirit
Jordan Pettle
Bob Cratchit
Kawa Ada
Mr. Fred
Kevin Bundy
A Charitable Gentleman
Susan Henley
Mrs. Dilber
Geordie Haley
John Jarvis
Ghost of Christmas Past
Lyon Smith
Cody Black
Ebenezer as a Boy
Eponine Lee
Fan
Susan Henley
Mrs. Bingley
Ellora Patnaik
Miss Hurst
Daniel Chapman-Smith
Ali Baba
Sarah Miller
Kawa Ada
Ebenezer as a Young Man
Jordan Pettle
Dick Wilkins
Emily Mewett
Kevin Bundy
Mr. Fezziwig
Susan Henley
Mrs. Fezziwig
Ellora Patnaik
Flora
Krystin Pellerin
Belle
Stephen Guy-McGrath
Fiddler
John Jarvis
Ghost of Christmas Present
Ellora Patnaik
Mrs. Cratchit
Eponine Lee
Belinda Cratchit
Kaden Boland-Trowbridge Peter Cratchit
Eleanor Guy
Martha Cratchit
Cody Black
Tiny Tim Cratchit
Ellora Patnaik
Mr. Fred’s Wife
Stephen Guy-McGrath
Mr. Clenham
Susan Henley
Miss Jane
Kevin Bundy
Topper
Krystin Pellerin
Agnes
Stephen Guy-McGrath
Belle’s Husband
John Jarvis
Ghost of Christmas Yet-To-Come
Jordan Pettle
Businessman
Kawa Ada
Businessman
Stephen Guy-McGrath
Joe
Kawa Ada
Debtor
Krystin Pellerin
Debtor’s Wife
Kaden Boland-Trowbridge Boy with Turkey
Susan Henley
Brigit
Director & Adaptor
John Ferguson
Set & Costume Designer
Julie Fox
Ghosts Costume Designer
Alan Brodie
Lighting Designer
Composer
Sound Coordinator & Designer
Monica Dottor
Remount Choreographer
Timothy French
Original Choreographer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Ian Michael Costello
Apprentice Stage Manager
Deborah Williams
Assistant Director
Frances Bundy
Child Supervisor
Kelly McEvenue
Alexander Coach
Paul de Jong
Dialect Coach
SOULPEPPER PRODUC T ION
Jacqueline Robertson Cull
Head of Hair & Makeup
Geoff Hughes
Cutter
Stefan Dean, Ellie Furtney
Sewers
Barbara Nowakowski
First Hand
Isidra Cruz
Wigs Running
Kaz Maxine
Milliner
Natalie Swiercz, Emma Zulkoskey
Dressers
Greg Chambers
Props Builder
Grace Eakins, Nina Hartt,
Mattea Kennedy
Scenic Artists
Bill Stahl
Carpenter
A Christmas Carol is staged by arrangement with Catalyst TCM, Toronto, ON. First produced at Theatre New Brunswick, December 1990.
jos e p h z i e gl e r . p hoto: s a n dy N ic hol son
BACKGROUND NOTES
M
ichael Shamata’s note-perfect
adaptation of this timeless classic
is a cherished holiday tradition here at
Soulpepper. The book emerged from a time
of turbulence for author Charles Dickens.
His early celebrity had faded and he was
faced with his worst fear: a return to the
grinding poverty of his youth. He wrote
A Christmas Carol in several sleepless weeks.
Things were so desperate that Dickens had
to pay for the first printing himself but
the gamble paid off. What he called “this
humble little book” sold a stunning 6,000
copies in its first week alone and has been
a seasonal staple ever since. Some even credit
Dickens with helping to revive and
strengthen Christmas traditions in England
at a time when they were dying out.
It might be said that we need this story
more than ever. Its passionate sense of social
justice and its sensitivity to the human
casualties of consumer-driven society
resonate powerfully in light of complex new
realities around us. Dickens’ artful mix of
horror, deep feeling, and wry humour are
hugely entertaining but A Christmas Carol
has endured because at its core, it is about
what matters most: our families and our
communities. In charting the transformation
of one man, the writer makes a powerful
case for a society that values co-operation
and connection over isolation and selfinterest. Scrooge’s awakening holds out
hope that even the hardest heart can soften,
even the most selfish nature has the capacity
to look beyond itself.
Yes, this story of old ghosts calls us once
again. We may know how it ends, but the
journey is still worth taking. May God bless
us every one. From our family to yours:
happy holidays.
PL AY WRIGHT BIOGR APHY
Charles Dickens was born in 1812. His
hardscrabble childhood ended at 12, when
his father was thrown into debtor’s prison
and Dickens had to work in a rat-infested
shoe polish warehouse to support his
family. He was a successful journalist by
1835, when his first novel, The Pickwick Papers,
catapulted him to wealth and celebrity.
A man of epic energy, Dickens wrote articles,
gave readings and lectures internationally,
campaigned against child labour and
slavery (among other causes), wrote a slew
of famous novels, and dabbled in theatre.
He also found time to father eight children.
In 1870, he suffered a massive stroke and died
the same day at the age of 58. He is buried
in Westminster Abbey
ADAP TOR BIOGR APHY
Michael Shamata is nationally known
for his precise, elegant productions.
Soulpepper audiences have loved his
nimble adaptations of A Christmas Carol
and Great Expectations which he also
directed. He is the Artistic Director of the
Belfry Theatre in Victoria, B.C.
Background Notes by 2016 Soulpepper
Resident Artist Paula Wing
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Happy Holidays from everyone at Soulpepper!