Category: Uncategorised
Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol
Adapted by John Jakes
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing of Woodstock Ill.
Directed and produced by Katherine Turner
SHOW DATES
December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15, 2023 at 8 p.m.
December 3, 10 and 16, 2023 at 2 p.m.
THE STORY
Seeing a production of A Christmas Carol whether one of many films, plays, or staged readings, is a Christmas tradition. It lives on as it is a story of redemption, transformation, and hope. It reminds us to consider the impact of our decisions and actions and that by changing our actions, our behaviours, we can make a positive difference.
For Ebenezer Scrooge to embark on a journey of change, he needs the intervention of a deceased friend and three spirits to show him the impact of his small-minded, miserly ways on his life, the lives around him and the future. It is important to ensure in this production, that we feel and believe the change in Ebenezer as the story proceeds. There is a character arc that must be carefully built and revealed.
In our age of lies and income inequality, Dickens continues to remind us of the truth, to beware of Want, but particularly Ignorance. This why we must always see A Christmas Carol once a year – to remember, reflect and act.
Unique to this adaptation is the inclusion of Charles Dickens as a character. Dickens was famous for his readings and the premise of the play is this is a reading that comes to life.
CAST
Please note: the ages noted do not need to reflect the age of the actor- spirit is what counts! minimally the production requires 12 actors identifying as male, 8 actors identifying as female, 3 boys and 2 girls. There will be doubling + of roles.
Male Identifying Roles
Dickens/ Businessman -he is the narrator and fills in for characters as needed. His North America tour was in 1867 when he would have been 55 years old. (side)
Scrooge – 55-60 years old. He is not an old man; he just seems that way. We see him smile and transform. (sides)
Bob Cratchit/ Bill – 40’s Bob a good man, hard-working, not too sweet (side)
Theatre manager/ Fred/ Fan’s husband – Fred 30’s -kind and charming, enjoys teasing his uncle, his mother’s son (side)
London Bobby / Schoolmaster / Undertaker’s Man
Shopkeeper / Fezziwig / Businessman
Blind Beggar/ Dick Wilkins- Fezziwig Beau/ Warden / Old Joe
Gentleman I / Fezziwig Beau/Ghost of Christmas Present (side of Christmas Present)
Gentleman 2 /Belle’s husband / Businessman
Jacob Marley/ Topper/ Warden/ Businessman – Marley 40-50’s (side)
Young Ebenezer (20s) / Young Husband/ Businessman – Young Ebenezer 20s (side)
Fezziwig Beau/Peter Cratchit 17 years old
Female Identifying Roles
Flower Girl/ Ghost of Christmas Past
Mother/ Raucous Lady/ Laundress
Woman in Black/ Mrs. Fezziwig / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Fezziwig daughter/Martha Cratchit – Martha Is about 15-16
Cook/Mrs. Cratchit – Cratchit’s wife – (side)
Fezziwig Daughter/Sara – Fred’s wife / Young Wife – in early 20’s
Fezziwig daughter/Charwoman
Belle/Londoners/Guests – Belle 20’s engaged to Ebenezer (side)
Boys
Street Boy (Act 1) / Street Boy (Act II) – age about 12 or so
Young Ebenezer/Ignorance, a ragged boy -Young Ebenezer is about 10 years old
Tiny Tim – need to physicalize an ailment using a small crutch/cane, kind, thoughtful, small – 10-11yrs old
Girls
Girl (Act 1) Fan/ Want, a ragged girl – Fan is about 11 years old
Belle’s Daughter/ Belinda Cratchit -Belinda is about 12-13
AUDITION DATES
Sunday, September 17, 2023 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Monday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (if needed)
CALLBACKS
Wednesday, September 20 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (if needed)
Callbacks only: Please be prepared to be available for the full 2 hours
REQUIREMENTS:
Please prepare a light dramatic monologue – no more than 90 seconds. Be prepared to be re-directed. For some characters, Scrooge, Dickens, Cratchit etc. (noted on list), there will be sides from the play. All will be asked to sing a brief verse of a song of your choosing.
Children and Characters without sides, will be asked to briefly tell what they like/love about A Christmas Carol or a favourite Christmas Story.
Ideally, we will need to hear English accents. Please contact audition4sp@gmail.com for more information about the play. Due to COVID, once you have booked your audition, we will be sending you forms to complete at home which can then be emailed along with your headshot/photo and resume. We will be managing contact, distancing, and numbers in the space.
BOOKING AN AUDITION
Auditions must be booked in advance
To request an audition send an email to: audition4sp@gmail.com
By email, please indicate your preferred audition date and time(s).
Auditions are booked in 10-minute slots.
Please indicate the role(s) in which you are interested. This is very important.
LOCATION
Auditions and Rehearsals will be held at 780 Birchmount, Unit 5 (West side of Birchmount, south of Eglinton, beside the Alison’s Fine Foods. TTC accessible by #17 Bus from Warden Station or any Eglinton West bus from Kennedy Station.
REHEARSALS
First read-through will be Sunday, September 24 at 1 p.m.
Most rehearsals will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. and Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.
Some rehearsals and all performances are at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Road (at Markham Road).
Additional rehearsals may be added as we move closer to the production opening. There may also be the need to incorporate other rehearsal days to schedule other parts of the play, i.e. Dancing rehearsals
You will be asked to please list ANY potential conflicts from September 24 and December 16, 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Scarborough Players is an inclusive community theatre company and encourages all interested individuals from all backgrounds to audition.
Those auditioning must be Non-Equity performers and understand that this is a non-paying production.
We do not enter into any contracts or agreements with CAEA or ACTRA.