A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is likely the most well-known piece of traditional holiday literature of all time, and for good reason: it tells a gripping story of ordinary people grappling with the human condition, and it has starkly relatable characters. Indeed, the most compelling thing about Ebenezer Scrooge is that the audience feels a certain sense of pathos toward him. We see that Scrooge is not a villain, but merely a sad, lonely old man.
Actor Jason Stevens has been playing the character for the last decade in a solo show at the Craigdarroch Castle, where he voices 19 characters in a rousing rendition of the classic tale. Stevens’ performance is spirited and energetic, and his voice has a rich texture which believably lends personality to the story’s many characters, although some better than others.
There are a couple of shortcomings to the performance, however. Stevens delivers the lines at a breakneck velocity, which rarely allows breathing room or time for the individual characters’ voices to distinguish themselves. This lack of pacing feels like a nervous student delivering a class presentation, and I found myself wishing Stevens would just slow down a bit.
The other downfall appears to be a casualty of adapting a novel to an hour-long stage play, and it robs the story of a crucial plot point. The greatest catalyst to Scrooge’s transformation into a miserly and miserable old man is the death of his sister, who was arguably the only person he ever truly cared about. It’s this tragedy which hardens him, and it’s only by seeing his own mortality, and the love and joy within the Cratchit family, that Scrooge realizes how twisted his unresolved heartbreak has made him. The audience truly sympathizes with him and can’t help but see through his bitter self-loathing and love him.
Stevens’ adaptation cuts out this important piece of character development, and Scrooge is portrayed solely as a man who has forsaken everything in his life in pursuit of monetary success. While this is certainly his most salient characteristic, it noticeably reduces the complexity of the character. Stevens does include a scene where Scrooge’s fiancée leaves him, but I think it’s less powerful and could have been swapped out for the one with his sister for greater effect.
Despite this, Stevens delivers a strong performance which reminds us of the value of human connection despite adversity.
A Christmas Carol
Various times and dates, until Friday, December 24
$30, Craigdarroch Castle
thecastle.ca