News Release
NAC English Theatre Production  
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and directed by Jillian Keiley
featuring Andy Jones as Scrooge
December 5 - 24, 2017

November 20, 2017 – OTTAWA (Canada) – “A spirited tale of how things should be...haunting and magical.” - Capital Critics Circle

Back by popular demand! Wander through snow-filled forests, smell the Christmas goose and figgy pudding, then take your seat for the NAC’s breathtaking production of the beloved classic A Christmas Carol, brought to life by Andy Jones in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

It’s Christmas Eve and Scrooge is on his own, rich but miserable, until the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come offer him a last chance at redemption. A perfect holiday show for the whole family!

In bringing this production to life, Director Jillian Keiley and Set and Costume Designer Bretta Gerecke set their sights on tapping into the common nostalgia of the story while at the same time engaging the audience in an exciting adventure.

“When Bretta Gerecke and I began work, we wanted to create a version of the show that invites you to engage with the production through your own creative mind, and hopefully opens you to a fresh new experience with the story, at the intersection of your memory and imagination.” - Jillian Keiley, NAC English Theatre Artistic Director.

The experience begins as the audiences step through a winter wonderland featuring ornate, historical models for each of the sets for A Christmas Carol. Once the show begins, with these objects fresh in your mind, the story plays out on a snowscape of memory – a white-canvas version of what you saw as you entered, offering a rewarding and exciting way to experience an old and familiar story.

Once again, the cast is as unique as the design itself. Leading the way is the one-and-only Andy Jones in the role of old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, whose life is changed forever when he is haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Jack Volpe, a Montreal-based artist who is Deaf, and Bruck Horak, a Toronto-based artist who is legally blind, bring audiences into the story as the Narrators and also portray two of the spirits.

Throughout it all, A Christmas Carol remains a powerful moral allegory about the importance of goodwill and generosity in a time of hardship and poverty. Over the course of the night, Scrooge witnesses the power of charity, and is warned of the dangers of a society where money is valued above family, friendship, and community.

Featuring Marc Béland, Bénédicte Bélizaire, Jenni Burke, Sébastian Cimpaye, Attila Clemann, Lili Connor, Max Dillabough, Charles Douglas, Bruce Horak, Andy Jones, Chloe O’Malley, Ry Prior, Chris Ralph, Clara Silcoff, André Sills, Jack Volpe, Kristina Watt and Campbell Woodside. Rehearsal/backstage/performances Interpreters are Carmelle Cachero, Kathleen Henderson and Catherine Maur.

Assisting Ms Keiley and Ms Gerecke in bringing this story to life are Music Director, Orchestrator and Arranger Jonathan Monro, Associate Director Corey Payette, Lighting Designer Michael Walton, Choreographer Dayna Tekatch, Sound Designer Don Ellis, Stage Manager Samira Rose, Assistant Stage Manager Loreen Gibson and Apprentice Stage Manager Laurie Shannon.

A Christmas Carol
December 5– 24, 2017
Babs Asper Theatre

Pay-What-You-Can Performance:
Tuesday, December 5
Previews:
Wednesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 7
Opens:
Friday, December 8

Talkbacks:
Wednesdays, December 13 and 20 and Thursdays, December 14 and 21.
Stay in your seats for a post-show question-and-answer session with cast members of A Christmas Carol.

American Sign Language (A.S.L.) Presentation:
Sunday, December 17 at 2 p.m.
The NAC is continually striving to make theatre accessible to all audiences. In order to do so for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, English Theatre presents an A.S.L. interpretation performance.

Performance Schedule:

Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
December 9, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 2 p.m.

Tickets:
Starting from $32

Tickets are available:

• Online on the NAC’s website: www.nac-cna.ca
• In person at the NAC Box Office at 1 Elgin Street
• At all Ticketmaster outlets**
• By telephone 1-888-991-2787**
  **A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

Groups of 10 or more contact grp@nac-cna.ca or visit http://www.nac-cna.ca

Find out more about the NAC English Theatre on Facebook and YouTube. To discover some fascinating facts about A Christmas Carol visit nac-cna.ca/englishtheatre.

A Christmas Carol is part of the NAC’s Share the Spirit program presented by Sun Life Financial – the eighth year for Share the Spirit, an initiative aimed at families who, for economic or health reasons, may not have the opportunity to enjoy live performances at the NAC.

Share the Spirit is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Sun Life Financial, a Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Ottawa at the Associate Partner level, and Supporting Partners The Honourable John Manley, P.C. O.C. & Mrs. Judith Manley, Glenview Management Limited and the Leacross Foundation, as well as other donors who have contributed to Share the Spirit through the NAC Foundation Donors’ Circle. Visit nac-cna.ca/share

Embassy Hotel and Suites is proud to be the Official Hotel Partner for the National Arts Centre English Theatre.

-30-

 

SEAN FITZPATRICK
Communications Officer, English Theatre/ Agent de communication, Théâtre anglais
National Arts Centre/ Centre national des Arts
(613) 947-7000, ext./ poste 389
sean.fitzpatrick@nac-cna.ca