Showing posts with label A Christmas Carol: On the Air. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Christmas Carol: On the Air. Show all posts
Saturday, December 26, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | a christmas carol, adapted
It's no surprise that our live radio adaptation of Dickens' classic in A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR is not the only take on this old chestnut. From plays to comics to television and lots of movies, here are the images from a few popular (and not so popular) versions of A Christmas Carol.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | 10 things you didn't know about a christmas carol
We've got a couple of weeks left of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR. This story is tried and true, but there are a few fun facts that we bet you don't know about it. This article originally appears in The Telegraph.
1. The great historian Thomas Carlyle went straight out and bought himself a turkey after reading Dickens’s tale of the redemption of Scrooge. Novelist William Thackeray, not always an admirer of Dickens, called A Christmas Carol a “national benefit”; one American entrepreneur gave his employees an extra day’s holiday. Publication had been a huge success, selling in excess of 6,000 copies. Dickens had began writing his “little Christmas book”, as he called it, in October 1843 and worked on it feverishly for six weeks, finishing it at the end of November, just in time for Christmas.
2. As he wrote, Dickens wept and laughed and wept again and would often take long night walks through London, covering anywhere between 15 or 20 miles “when all sober folks had gone to bed”. When he completed the book, he “broke out”, as he himself described it, “like a madman”.
3. The story is loosely based on Gabriel Grubb, a character in The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton, which appeared in Dickens’ first published novel, The Pickwick Papers. In the story, a gravedigger determined not to make merry at Christmas, is kidnapped by goblins and convinced to change his ways.
4. Two months after the publication of A Christmas Carol, Parley’s Illuminated Library pirated it. Dickens sued and won his case. The pirates, on the other hand, simply declared themselves bankrupt, leaving Dickens to pay £700 in costs, equal to £56,364 today.
5. Within six weeks of its publication, the book hit the London stage in an adaptation by Edward Stirling, which ran for more than 40 nights before transferring to New York’s Park Theatre. Also in the same city, a musical version was staged which was hampered badly on opening night, when brawling broke out, drowning out the bass drum that ushered Marley’s ghost as he rose through a trapdoor.
6. In 1853, 10 years after its publication, Charles Dickens gave the first public performance in Birmingham’s town hall. He performed it in front of a rapturous crowd of 2,000, all working people from the town, and it lasted just under three hours. Before this time, no great author had performed their works in public and for profit, which many thought beneath Dickens’ calling as a writer and a gentleman.
7. On performance days Dickens stuck to a rather bizarre routine. He had two tablespoons of rum flavoured with fresh cream for breakfast, a pint of champagne for tea and, half an hour before the start of his performance, would drink a raw egg beaten into a tumbler of sherry. During the five-minute interval, he invariably consumed a quick cup of beef tea, and always retired to bed with a bowl of soup.
8. He always presented himself to his audience in full evening dress, with a bright buttonhole, a purple waistcoat and a glittering watch-chain. His stage equipment consisted of a reading desk, carpet, gas lights and a pair of large screens behind him to help project his voice forward.
9. Without a single prop or bit of costume, Dickens peopled his stage with a throng of characters, it is said, “like an entire theatre company… under one hat”. The arrival of Scrooge always created a sensation; Dickens became an old man with a shrewd, grating voice whose face was drawn into his collar like an ageing turtle. During the Fezziwigs’ party, his fingers would dance along the reading table in a mad array of little hops and pirouettes. It is reported that the audience “fell into a kind of trance, as a universal feeling of joy seemed to invade the whole assembly”.
10. Dickens began with A Christmas Carol, and he ended with it. His last reading of the little book took place in London at St James’s Hall, on March 15, 1870. At the end of the performance, he told his audience: “From these garish lights, I vanish now for evermore, with a heartfelt, grateful, respectful, and affectionate farewell.” There was a stunned silence, broken by a tumult of cheering, hat-waving and the stamping of feet. With tears streaming down his face, Dickens raised his hands to his lips in an affectionate kiss and departed from the platform for ever. He died three months later, aged 58.
THE TELEGRAPH
1. The great historian Thomas Carlyle went straight out and bought himself a turkey after reading Dickens’s tale of the redemption of Scrooge. Novelist William Thackeray, not always an admirer of Dickens, called A Christmas Carol a “national benefit”; one American entrepreneur gave his employees an extra day’s holiday. Publication had been a huge success, selling in excess of 6,000 copies. Dickens had began writing his “little Christmas book”, as he called it, in October 1843 and worked on it feverishly for six weeks, finishing it at the end of November, just in time for Christmas.
2. As he wrote, Dickens wept and laughed and wept again and would often take long night walks through London, covering anywhere between 15 or 20 miles “when all sober folks had gone to bed”. When he completed the book, he “broke out”, as he himself described it, “like a madman”.
3. The story is loosely based on Gabriel Grubb, a character in The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton, which appeared in Dickens’ first published novel, The Pickwick Papers. In the story, a gravedigger determined not to make merry at Christmas, is kidnapped by goblins and convinced to change his ways.
4. Two months after the publication of A Christmas Carol, Parley’s Illuminated Library pirated it. Dickens sued and won his case. The pirates, on the other hand, simply declared themselves bankrupt, leaving Dickens to pay £700 in costs, equal to £56,364 today.
5. Within six weeks of its publication, the book hit the London stage in an adaptation by Edward Stirling, which ran for more than 40 nights before transferring to New York’s Park Theatre. Also in the same city, a musical version was staged which was hampered badly on opening night, when brawling broke out, drowning out the bass drum that ushered Marley’s ghost as he rose through a trapdoor.
6. In 1853, 10 years after its publication, Charles Dickens gave the first public performance in Birmingham’s town hall. He performed it in front of a rapturous crowd of 2,000, all working people from the town, and it lasted just under three hours. Before this time, no great author had performed their works in public and for profit, which many thought beneath Dickens’ calling as a writer and a gentleman.
7. On performance days Dickens stuck to a rather bizarre routine. He had two tablespoons of rum flavoured with fresh cream for breakfast, a pint of champagne for tea and, half an hour before the start of his performance, would drink a raw egg beaten into a tumbler of sherry. During the five-minute interval, he invariably consumed a quick cup of beef tea, and always retired to bed with a bowl of soup.
8. He always presented himself to his audience in full evening dress, with a bright buttonhole, a purple waistcoat and a glittering watch-chain. His stage equipment consisted of a reading desk, carpet, gas lights and a pair of large screens behind him to help project his voice forward.
9. Without a single prop or bit of costume, Dickens peopled his stage with a throng of characters, it is said, “like an entire theatre company… under one hat”. The arrival of Scrooge always created a sensation; Dickens became an old man with a shrewd, grating voice whose face was drawn into his collar like an ageing turtle. During the Fezziwigs’ party, his fingers would dance along the reading table in a mad array of little hops and pirouettes. It is reported that the audience “fell into a kind of trance, as a universal feeling of joy seemed to invade the whole assembly”.
10. Dickens began with A Christmas Carol, and he ended with it. His last reading of the little book took place in London at St James’s Hall, on March 15, 1870. At the end of the performance, he told his audience: “From these garish lights, I vanish now for evermore, with a heartfelt, grateful, respectful, and affectionate farewell.” There was a stunned silence, broken by a tumult of cheering, hat-waving and the stamping of feet. With tears streaming down his face, Dickens raised his hands to his lips in an affectionate kiss and departed from the platform for ever. He died three months later, aged 58.
THE TELEGRAPH
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | holiday performance schedule
Need something to do between now and 2016? We've got a full week of performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR available to you over Christmas and New Years! Enjoy a family outing or a night out with friends during this special time of year.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | how to insult like scrooge
Scrooge is best-known for being a tight-fisted penny pincher and sharp, clever insults. We asked actor Paul Griggs, playing Scrooge in our production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR, to share his favourite Scroogian snub. Feel free to memorize a few in case you need to bring down the level of cheer at your next holiday party.
To his nephew Fred:
“Merry Christmas? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”
“What’s Christmastime to you but a time for paying bills without money?”
“Christmastime for you, is a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer.”
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding!”
To Bob Cratchit:
“What do I care about his ill wife? I want the money he owes me.”
“Christmastime is a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December.”
To the Gentlewoman:
“If the poor would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population”
“I don’t make myself merry at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry.”
To his nephew Fred:
“Merry Christmas? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”
“What’s Christmastime to you but a time for paying bills without money?”
“Christmastime for you, is a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer.”
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding!”
To Bob Cratchit:
“What do I care about his ill wife? I want the money he owes me.”
“Christmastime is a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December.”
To the Gentlewoman:
“If the poor would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population”
“I don’t make myself merry at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry.”
Thursday, December 10, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | responses
"With countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol since it was first written in 1843, the question this holiday season is, do we need another? The answer, at least for the staged radio play currently playing at Pacific Theatre, remains a qualified yes. For even after nearly 200 years, this story of redemption can still pack an emotional wallop." | Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents
"‘A Christmas Carol On The Air’ was truly wonderful entertainment. Impeccably acted – the music was wonderful, the adverts hilarious, and the sound effects fascinating." - Alan Toft, audience response
"But “seeing” [A Christmas Carol] on the radio - you remember radio, that’s television without the pictures – gives the story a whole new perspective. Dickens, of course, couldn’t have written Christmas Carol with radio in mind, but had been able to, he couldn’t have done a better job. ... Try not to miss this nostalgic trip back to a time when our parents (or if you’re that young, your grandparents) needed nothing but a radio and their imagination for entertainment." | John Jane, Review Vancouver
"Kirsty Provan becomes a fantastically eccentric—spooky, innocent—Christmas Past, and she is slyly roguish as the old woman who pillaged Scrooge’s deathbed. Julia Siedlanowska also impresses—with tender simplicity—as Belle and Tiny Tim, the handicapped son of Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit." | Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight
Wednesday, December 09, 2015
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Monday, December 07, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | opening night photos
Friday was opening of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR and we had a wonderful time at the show and reception! Thanks to all who came out and congratulations to the entire creative team on a spectacular start to our holiday show! Here's some shots from the opening night reception.
Thursday, December 03, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | pay-what-you-can preview
Tonight is the pay-what-you-can preview of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR! Tickets are $13.99 in advance or pay-what-you-can at the door.
Tuesday, December 01, 2015
christmas carol: on the air | warm clothing donations
Inspired by apprentice Julia Siedlanowska's production of MATCH GIRL before select performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR, we are accepting donations of warm clothing on behalf of Covenant House throughout the run of the show.
We will be accepting donations of warm clothes for Covenant House at these performances and throughout the run of A Christmas Carol: On the Air.
The greatest needs include underwear, men’s shoes (size 10-13 or larger), and men’s jeans. Also needed: warm scarves, sweaters, rain gear, “teen” style clothing, and toiletries.
For more information on Covenant House and their work, visit their website.
We will be accepting donations of warm clothes for Covenant House at these performances and throughout the run of A Christmas Carol: On the Air.
The greatest needs include underwear, men’s shoes (size 10-13 or larger), and men’s jeans. Also needed: warm scarves, sweaters, rain gear, “teen” style clothing, and toiletries.
For more information on Covenant House and their work, visit their website.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | subscriber appreciation saturday
Subscribers, ever wanted to try your hand at those radio sound effects? The Subscriber Appreciation Saturday for A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR will let you do that and more. Join us!
A Christmas Carol: On the Air
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday
Dec 5 at 4:15pm (approx - following the matinee performance)
How do they make all those sound effects in live radio? Join us for a sound foley presentation and workshop with playwright Peter Church, as well as a conversation about his love for radio drama and adapting this well-loved story for a radio play.
RSVP to Jess: apprentices@pacifictheatre.org
A Christmas Carol: On the Air
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday
Dec 5 at 4:15pm (approx - following the matinee performance)
How do they make all those sound effects in live radio? Join us for a sound foley presentation and workshop with playwright Peter Church, as well as a conversation about his love for radio drama and adapting this well-loved story for a radio play.
RSVP to Jess: apprentices@pacifictheatre.org
Friday, November 27, 2015
a christmas carol: on the air | advance photos
We've got the advance photos for A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR! We tried to mix the 1940s radio feeling with recognizable images from Dickens' tale. What do you think? All photos by Emily Cooper.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
15-16 artwork spotlight | a christmas carol: on the air
Another wonderful piece of artwork to share with you in our artwork spotlight, featuring the beautiful work Emily Cooper creates for us every year! Here is A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR.
We were thrilled with the production Peter Church and Sarah Rodgers put together for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW last year, and decided we absolutely needed to jump into the world of radio once again this year. We asked Emily to keep some touches from the last show - the microphone, snowy sky, and old fashioned radio (can you find it?), and then of course we needed to add Scrooge into the mix!
Emily's first draft looked almost exactly like the final image you see here - we made a few tiny tweaks after the fact and that's it.
We were thrilled with the production Peter Church and Sarah Rodgers put together for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW last year, and decided we absolutely needed to jump into the world of radio once again this year. We asked Emily to keep some touches from the last show - the microphone, snowy sky, and old fashioned radio (can you find it?), and then of course we needed to add Scrooge into the mix!
Emily's first draft looked almost exactly like the final image you see here - we made a few tiny tweaks after the fact and that's it.
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
15-16 staff picks | frank nickel
Up next in our series of staff picks for the 2015-2016 season is Frank Nickel, Co-General Manager.
THE AMISH PROJECT
The strength of the narrative, the brutality of the story, and the amazing capacity of forgiveness, told through a single actor playing a myriad of characters. I’ve seen bits of the play and read small sections of the script and I can’t wait to see it come to life on the PT stage.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR
I simply love Peter Church and his ability to take almost any classic story and make it into a modern day recreation set in the height of the radio drama era. With Sarah Rodgers directing and Rick Colhoun directing our live foley sound effects its a new Christmas tradition I’m looking forward to bringing the family to.
WIT
It's an all star Pacific Theatre cast, grappling with true Pacific Theatre material. I’m looking forward to some of Vancouver’s top actors wrestle with a truly mesmerizing text.
Check out the entire season and subscribe!
THE AMISH PROJECT
The strength of the narrative, the brutality of the story, and the amazing capacity of forgiveness, told through a single actor playing a myriad of characters. I’ve seen bits of the play and read small sections of the script and I can’t wait to see it come to life on the PT stage.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR
I simply love Peter Church and his ability to take almost any classic story and make it into a modern day recreation set in the height of the radio drama era. With Sarah Rodgers directing and Rick Colhoun directing our live foley sound effects its a new Christmas tradition I’m looking forward to bringing the family to.
WIT
It's an all star Pacific Theatre cast, grappling with true Pacific Theatre material. I’m looking forward to some of Vancouver’s top actors wrestle with a truly mesmerizing text.
Check out the entire season and subscribe!
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
15-16 staff picks | alison chisholm
It's time for our annual "Staff Picks" series once again! Just like the little shelf in your favourite book store telling you what the staff's favourite reads are, we'll give you the PT staff's top picks for the coming season. Up first, Co-General Manager Alison Chisholm!
SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN
Love starting off the season with a good musical romp, and Midnight Theatre Collective musicals never miss!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR
Peter Church is king of radio shows. Looking forward to bringing back the hilarity of the radio commercials with another Christmas classic.
WIT
I’ve had this play on my 'list of shows to see' for a long time. Can’t wait to see to see it on the PT stage with a star-studded cast
Check out the entire season and subscribe!
SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN
Love starting off the season with a good musical romp, and Midnight Theatre Collective musicals never miss!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR
Peter Church is king of radio shows. Looking forward to bringing back the hilarity of the radio commercials with another Christmas classic.
WIT
I’ve had this play on my 'list of shows to see' for a long time. Can’t wait to see to see it on the PT stage with a star-studded cast
Check out the entire season and subscribe!
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