Charles Dickens timeless story about life’s second chances, A Christmas Carol, has been adapted to A Fairytale Christmas Carol, the Musical, to be staged by the Young Performers Project at the Playhouse Opera Theatre in Durban from 5 – 21 December.
This original festive season family-friendly production blends familiar fairytale characters with the well-known story about how the miser Scrooge has a change of heart for Christmas.
Fresh adaptation
This clever adaptation is surprisingly true to the original text in theme; yet unlikely, fresh and fun. The Big Bad Wolf is the Ebenezer Scrooge character (James Armstrong from ISPA, who was Donkey in Shrek), who meets the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Midas who could turn anything to gold (the Marley character). Midas warns Big Bad Wolf that we will be visited by three ghosts: Christmas Past, Present and Future (played with aplomb by Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole and the Queen of Hearts respectively). The ghosts make Scrooge realise what a scoundrel he has been, and that it is not too late for redemption, allowing him to reform and rejoice.
In the true spirit of Dickens, together we rediscover the importance of love, family, friends, kindness, compassion …. and joy.
Behind-the-scenes team
The production team for A Fairytale Christmas Carol, sees Daisy Spencer in both the director’s chair as well as choreographing the production; with musical direction by Des Govender; costume design by Kathy Singery; props and set by Nicolene Steyn; sound design by Anthony Govender and lighting by Dylan Heaton. In the spirt of training the next generation of theatre practioners, this year there is an assistant music director: Damien Butt; and an assistant choreographer Jenna Van Eyssen – both from ISPA.
Musical numbers include a mixture of original songs with familiar and much-loved carols as well as a few surprises…
A springboard for young performers
The cast includes senior primary as well as high school learners, and members of Durban-based International School of Performing Arts to provide maximum experience opportunities for as many aspirant young performers as possible.
This year, over 300 students from a variety of schools in Durban auditioned to be part of the YPP programme. The cast of A Fairytale Christmas Carol features 80 childrenfrom 45 schools from throughout KZN – from as far as Richards Bay. The youngest of whom is nine. They have been rehearsing for seven weekends.
There will be a special Relaxed performance on Friday 5 December where formal theatre etiquette of silence and stillness won’t be enforced, enabling people and families with different needs to feel welcome and comfortable in a supportive environment. For this performance, before the show starts, some of the main characters will come in-front of the curtains to introduce themselves so that patrons become familiar with the performers ahead of the show.
A Fairytale Christmas Carol is presented by The Young Performers Project, The Playhouse Company and Pioneer.
The details
Tickets: Webtickets.
