A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol
Image: Photo: Michael Yore

A Christmas Carol is a new theatrical adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel by Sydney based playwright Melissa Lee Speyer, who’s worked closely with the director Michael Dean and the actors, to create an adaptation that feels traditional and pays homage to Dickens but is also for our times.

“Dickens had a lot to say about the state of his world, about poverty, wealth and capitalism, and we’ve tried to play with that and bring in what’s familiar in 2017, making it fresh and relevant to the audience. We’ve included some of the political processes that have resulted in the election of Donald Trump and closer to home, the political divisions on both sides of politics, both sides blaming each other,” said Michael Dean.

There are seven actors who play all kinds of roles, and a live musician, Miles Elkington, who we see on stage, on keyboard and synthesiser, who has composed original songs and arranged the carols.

“What inspired me to want to do a Christmas play, is that in a lot of places in the world a Christmas play is a staple of the theatre calendar, whereas we don’t really have that in Sydney. I would love to see the Christmas play become part of the Sydney tradition,” said Dean.

Set in a dream world, it’s not Sydney 2017 and it’s not Victorian England either. It’s a ghost story, a fantastical adventure story but it’s also a musical for people who want to see a production of a classical story that has some great Christmassy elements and also some surprises. There’s a 5pm performance on the 24th and afterwards there will be a Christmas dinner that you can book for and will be a great way to spend Christmas Eve.

Dec 12-24. Kings Cross Theatre, Level 2, Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William St, Kings Cross. $20-$35. Tickets & Info: www.liesliesandpropaganda.com

By Mel Somerville.

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