Have you ever wondered how difficult it is to put on a community theatre production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol?”
“The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of: A Christmas Carol” gives you a chaotic inside look at the blood, sweat, and tears (sometimes literally) that go into putting on the classic holiday play. And The Newtowne Players do a delightful job at bringing all of the silly chaos to life.
“The Farndale Christmas Carol” follows the Farndale… Dramatic Society as they attempt to put on a classic holiday play, but things just keep going wrong. It is an endearingly jolly parody of community theatre that is sure to captivate audiences, just as it did the cast and crew.
“I hate Dickens so much,” said Park of how she glossed over “A Christmas Carol” when looking for a holiday show to direct. “But after I looked at everything else, I started looking at alternative versions of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and this one popped up… It was so good from the very first page.”
Rachel Fusco, who plays the hilarious and charming Mrs. Reece, described how she wanted to be a part of the play in any way she could, whether onstage or off.
Her performance as Mrs. Reece is so convincing, there are moments when you’ll wonder if there really was a mishap onstage or if it’s all just part of the show. While her conversations with audience members will convince you that there are cast members planted in the crowd.
As the “The Farndale Christmas Carol” exemplifies, staging a play can come with a number of challenges.
The cast described having to master frequent costume changes, adapt to working with props that severely limit movement, and prepare for the possibility of audience interactions going awry. Not to mention, the challenges that the technical side of theatre can bring.
“The tech has been surprisingly difficult for a show where the tech is supposed to go wrong,” said Park. “I needed it to go wrong in the right places.”
Fusco described how Park’s mantra was “one more time” in rehearsals, ensuring that the cast and crew felt prepared and confident with all of the twists and turns the show takes, and all of the unknown possibilities that may arise.
There is also the task of having to play multiple characters within “A Christmas Carol” that can really test an actor. But the cast has taken it in stride and done each and every classic character hysterical, if not completely historically accurate, justice.
“So I thought my favorite character to play was Mrs. Cratchit, but actually I really, really enjoy being Jacob Marley,” said Luke Rowe, who plays Gordon. “I just really like getting stuck in a door.”
The cast and crew have conquered these challenges to produce a show that provides audience members with nonstop laughs, a few surprising musical numbers, and even a Christmas sing-along.
“I hope this show makes everybody laugh as much as it made us laugh in rehearsals,” said Emma Conti, who plays the show-stopping Mercedes. “It’s been such a joy to put together.”
The show truly offers something for everyone and is the perfect family-friendly festive activity.
“I hope [the audience] leave a little lighter than they came,” said Camilla Rodgers, who plays the spectacularly sassy Thelma. “It’s dark times. So I know, personally, watching a really funny show and getting to laugh, it makes a big difference on your spirit.”
There was one piece of advice offered to audience members though: know the show before you go.
As Conti stated, “I hope they come in knowing the plot of a Christmas Carol, because they’re not getting it out of the show.”
“The Farndale Christmas Carol” runs Thursday-Sunday through December 14. Get your tickets now!