Charles Dickens’ ghost story of redemption, goodwill and the transformative power of compassion is universally relatable – I mean, who doesn’t know someone who’s at least a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge? And since its publication 180 years ago, the story’s enduring popularity has inspired countless adaptations on the stage and screen.
Back in 1991, renowned actor John D. Huston put his own unique stamp on the classic tale by mounting a solo adaptation which proved so popular that it has toured annually ever since. Now in its 32nd season, A Christmas Carol with John D. Huston comes to Toronto’s Red Sandcastle Theatre on December 23 and 24 – just in time ahead of the big day.
In the show, Huston’s performance showcases his extraordinary talent and versatility. He plays Charles Dickens narrating the story, and takes on the roles of multiple characters, ranging from the scowling Ebenezer Scrooge to the soft-voiced Tiny Tim. His version is a refreshing take on the classic Christmas story, and his ability to breathe new life into the familiar narrative continues to make it a captivating experience, even for those who know the story well. Huston’s personal connection to the story dates back to childhood: “My dad used to read us A Christmas Carol at bedtime every December”, he recalls. When he then saw the 1951 Alistair Sim-starring A Christmas Carol at public school, he remembers that “it terrified me, made me laugh, and cry. It’s the clearest memory I have of the first grade.”
The show is a principal outlet for Huston’s lifelong passion for the theatre, to which he was explosed by his adoptive parents in his hometown of Winnipeg, where “theatre for young audiences was a big thing, thanks to John Hirsch”. The specific inspiration for his solo version of A Christmas Carol dates back to Huston’s twenties, when his girlfriend of the time gifted him a book of Dickens’ solo scripts called Sikes and Nancy and Other Public Readings. Having already played characters like Fred, Old Joe, Fezziwig and Marley in multi-actor versions of A Christmas Carol, Huston was familiar with the classic story. Struck by the examples in the book, Huston connected the dots and saw both opportunity and challenge: “I’d already done a couple of 60-minute one-person shows at two of the larger Canadian Fringe festivals,” he explains, “so I knew I could do Christmas Carol, even though it was much longer.”
But how to approach it – that was the question. Huston could see the unique draw of famed performers who had tackled a one-man A Christmas Carol – performers like Gerald Charles Dickens (Dickens’ great-great grandson) and actor Patrick Stewart. “They both have great hooks to draw audiences: Gerald has the family connection, and is a fine actor, too, I might add. And Patrick Stewart is…Patrick Stewart.” Playing to his strengths, Huston decided almost immediately that his hook would be: “This is the best known Christmas story, as its author intended it to be experienced.”
Source: https://www.sesayarts.com/john-d-huston-a-christmas-carol/
