Incorporated Association No. A20748T
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Moreland Theatre Company Incorporated Incorporated Association No. A20748T |
'Tis the Season to be Jolly ...
The newspapers and TV may be all doom, gloom and politics, but don't despair! The Christmas Spirits are alive and well, and ready to do their magical work in Moreland's production of A Christmas Carol, which opens on December 6.
Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story of Scrooge, the wicked old miser who is finally persuaded to change his ways, has been delighting people of all ages for over 150 years, and this large-cast production is sure to charm you too!
Children will be enchanted by Dickens' larger-than-life characters. There's Scrooge, cold and hard as flint, the by-word for meanness; his poor clerk Bob Cratchit - really a simple boy at heart; the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and the Future; and we mustn't forget Tiny Tim, nor the 50-odd other characters who populate this lively show!
This production of A Christmas Carol was adapted from Dickens' novel by director Steve Gagen, with original music by Mark Ratican. Steve was dissatisfied with other scripts, as they generally limited the action to one or two settings. So he wrote his own - and he includes all the locations specified in the original story, including Scrooge's school, a miner's camp, and a ship at sea! Each of the 15 cast members plays a multitude of roles in a dazzling display of acting virtuosity.
Moreland's production is being staged in the round, a first for the group, in a cabaret setting - bring your own food and drinks! The group has had to completely re-rig the lighting and sound to stage the show on the floor of the hall and some pretty stunning lighting and sound effects are planned.
An important element of the production is the ensemble work. Actors who are not involved in a particular scene become the narrators to the action, and their narration is accompanied by interesting and expressive movement, including sometimes becoming part of the scenery. It really does make for exciting theatre!
Playing Scrooge is Patrick Boyle, seen above with Michael Mezzatesta who plays the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Many will remember Patrick as the chess-playing King in Moreland's Hamlet. Scrooge's poor offsider Bob Cratchit is played by Chris Brotherton, who joins Moreland from Sandringham Light Opera - you will be sure to notice his beautiful voice when it comes to singing Christmas Carols.
So put aside your election cares and woes and be transported back 150 years to that great Victorian era when even Mr Scrooge's wicked old heart could be melted by the joy of Christmas! A great night's entertainment is guaranteed!
A Christmas Carol will be staged in St Ambrose's Hall, Dawson Street, Brunswick on December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15 at 8.00 pm. Tickets are $15 waged, $10 unwaged - for bookings call Glenys on 9386-0048 or send an email to mtc.bookings@yahoo.com. Remember to leave a contact phone number, and to state how many tickets you would like and for which performance.
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Moreland Theatre Company
Inc (A20748T)
PO Box 117, Moreland,
Victoria, Australia 3058
Telephone (03) 9386
0048
Email plays@moreland.org.au
