Toronto Review: 'A Christmas Carol' at Soulpepper Theatre
Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic
Associate Toronto Critic for Onstage, David Rabjohn, recently posted his review of a terrific production of Dickens’ beloved classic now onstage at Soupcan Theatre. I had the opportunity to re-visit Michael Shamata’s wonderful adaptation at a recent Soulpepper preview performance, and it’s just as lovely, touching and heartwarming even more after seeing it for the fourth time over the last several years.
This is an advisory to all of you. If you can get to see both adaptations, do so. I’m planning to try and see Soupcan’s production.
It was a joy to re-visit this Soulpepper remount. Most of the cast whom I last saw in 2017 are still present with some changes. This year, adaptor Michael Shamata helms the compassionate vision of this tale as director.
The story still takes place in the theatre in the round setting courtesy of set designer John Ferguson. Actors seamlessly and smoothly enter from all corners and through the audience. If you have an aisle seat, don’t be surprised if an actor pops up quickly beside you. Mr. Ferguson’s costume designs once again evoke a fine representation of the Dickensian period. Julie Fox’s designs of the three costumes of the Ghosts extraordinarily create three unique spirits. Alan Brodie’s lighting design and Lyon Smith’s sound co-ordination/design hauntingly re-create what Narrator John Jarvis tells us at the top of the show – we are about to witness a ghost story.
Joseph Ziegler triumphantly returns to the role of the miserly and cantankerous Ebenezer Scrooge. Mr. Ziegler’s transformation at the end of the play still makes my heart leap for joy that goodness can truly overcome hatred and spite. John Jarvis fittingly becomes three unique spectres of the three ghosts. I still find his silent performance with deathly glances and stares as the Ghost of Christmas yet to come chilling and frighteningly effective. I loved the silent and sprightly work of Daniel Chapman-Smith and Tangara Jones as the two Harlequins who appear throughout the production to help move set pieces. Stephen Guy-McGrath’s work as the Fiddler nicely heightens while underscoring some of the poignant moments in the story.
Adam Pettle returns as Bob Cratchit. Mr. Pettle is a solid actor and performer who can still tug at an emotional level, especially in the second act where we see him kneeling at the side of Tiny Tim. This time, an adorable Lucien Duncan-Reid plays Tiny Tim. His delivery of the line ‘God bless us, everyone’ made the audience at this performance utter a beloved cry of such affection and warmth. The other Cratchit children played by Kaia Esnard, Kaden Bolan-Trowbridge and Eponine Lee have believably created a family unit of love and respect amid the hardships of economic London. Ellora Patnaik was frustratingly believable as Mrs. Cratchit especially in that moment where, if she had the opportunity, she would tell Ebenezer what she truly thinks of the unfair treatment of her husband at work.
As the Fezziwigs, Kevin Bundy and Maggie Huculak are a delightfully cheeky couple who clearly understand when it’s time for work and when it’s time to cease it, and throw one hell of a holiday party, because it’s Christmas. Monica Dottor’s remount choreography of Timothy French’s original work is very classy. Antoine Yared and Krystin Pellerin’s performances as the young Ebenezer and his first love, Belle, are quite moving especially after she confronts Ebenezer about what is important in his life.
FINAL COMMENTS: Once again, this production is an absolute joy to see. Ask Santa to give you two tickets (even four?) to go see ‘A Christmas Carol’. You’ve been good boys and girls.
Performance runs approximately 2 hours with one intermission.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
Runs to December 29 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto’s Historic Distillery District, 50 Tank House Lane. For tickets, visit www.soulpepper.ca or call 1-416-866-8666.
Director: Michael Shamata; Set & Costume Designer: John Ferguson; Ghosts Costume Designer: Julie Fox; Lighting Designer: Alan Brodie; Composer: Geordie Haley; Sound Coordinator & Designer: Lyon Smith; Stage Manager: Kate Sandeson
Performers: Kaden Boland-Trowbridge; Kevin Bundy; Daniel Chapman-Smith; Lucien Duncan-Reid; Kaia Esnard; Stephen Guy-McGrath; Maggie Huculak; John Jarvis; Tangara Jones; Eponine Lee; Ellora Patnaik; Krystin Pellerin; Jordan Pettle; Antonie Yared; Joseph Ziegler
Photo of Jordan Pettle, Kayden Bolan-Trowbridge, Eponine Lee and John Jarvis from the 2017 Production courtesy of Cylla von Tiedemann.