mtbc: maze K (white-green)
Mark T. B. Carroll ([personal profile] mtbc) wrote2016-12-24 11:17 pm
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Adaptations of "A Christmas Carol"

Last night we saw the Chapterhouse Theatre Company's adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in the Great Hall of Stirling Castle. It was peculiar to reflect on how the stage had probably once* had monarchs and suchlike on it. The play had its strengths and weaknesses but I think it worthwhile overall; the fellow playing Ebenezer did a good job and the Ghost of Christmas Present reminded me of Matt Berry.

An interesting observation was that the production was expressively signed for the deaf by period-dressed people on stage; the main signing lady thus had a busy evening indeed. I do not see enough plays to know if such is common these days but the inclusion pleased me. Sign language is an unfortunate US/UK difference.

It was also interesting to consider variation among adaptations of the original story. For me one of the points to weigh is how much sense it makes that Ebenezer was once loved and is now alone and miserly: how much he changed and why.

*Let us brush under the rug that the hall underwent a good-faith restoration to a state before that of its later use by the army.