Head to the Algonquin Theatre for a vibrant and fun theatre production of a holiday classic

The energy at the rehearsal was certainly palpable.

Whether it was the director herself or the leads or the supporting cast, and everyone in between, the community members putting together Robin Clipsham’s adaptation of Ebenezer Scrooge’s classic tale were full of vibrancy.

It bodes well for their upcoming performances of A Christmas Carol: A Holiday Pantomime taking place at the Algonquin Theatre on December 23 (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) – just in time to get Christmas started off with a joyful glee.

For those unaware, a traditional British Pantomime (also known informally as a panto) is a type of theatre production geared towards a family entertainment experience that involves music, topical humour and slapstick comedy. It is usually produced during the holiday season and is based (often loosely based) on a well-known story.

As with most pantos, this story of Mr. Scrooge going from “Bah! Humbug!” to a genial soul, encourages the audience to sing along and participating in the transformation.

The cast is certainly excited about the upcoming show, including Abigail (Ab-sauce) Smith, the 11-year-old starring as Tiny Tim, who just nodded with a huge smile when asked if she’s enjoying working on the show.

Muskoka Unlimited also caught up with a trio of ladies who have been part of many theatrical productions in Muskoka throughout the years. They took some time out during rehearsals at the Muskoka Dance Academy to chat.

Pru Donaldson, who plays Scrooge’s Housekeepr Mrs. Dilber; JoAnn Bennett, who plays Scrooge’s Cook (Mrs. Pots); and Jo Ann Jordan, who plays Scrooge’s Laundress Mrs. Scrubbs, are all quite thrilled to be working together on this version of A Christmas Carol.

“It’s going to be really fun,” says Jordan, whose son Marshall Jordan and daughter in law Olivia Jordan are also in the play as Peter Cratchit and Belinda Cratchit, respectively. “There is so much going on in the world right now, including in Huntsville, that’s sad and it’s a just an afternoon to take your friends or family and enjoy it. And, of course, to experience theatre.”

Jordan has been a stage manager for several plays over the years. She was also one of the actors for an all-female adaptation of Julius Caesar a couple of summers ago. Having worked with several of the cast and crew, including Donaldson and Bennett, she says it’s wonderful to get to see people you know and enjoy doing theatre with.

More importantly, though, Jordan is delighted to work under the direction of Clipsham.

“She’s the most detailed and put together director I’ve ever worked with, and I tell you that because I appreciate her so much,” says Jordan.

Bennett echoes Jordan’s appreciation for Clipsham and adds that “she stays true to the characters.” Having started doing theatre many years ago as a way to spend time with her oldest daughter, Bennett kept going even after her child grew up and went off to university.

A Christmas Carol: A Holiday Pantomime will be production number 15, 16 or 17 she says (having done so many now that the number isn’t important). She loves the community connections being made during the rehearsals and performances.

“Getting to know someone outside of what you’re doing outside of rehearsals, the community aspect has been great,” says Bennett.

Donaldson is as well known as anyone in theatre in Muskoka, having been doing plays throughout the region since the late 1980s.

“It’s the camaraderie and you make friends,” explains Donaldson about the enjoyment of doing community theatre. “You get so involved with the characters you’re performing in the show, and you become friends. When you see each other after a while, you pick up where you left off.”

She says that working with an “incredible director” like Clipsham is “wonderful,” and that there are so many reasons for people to buy tickets to the show, including getting to see the way this traditionally sombre production has been reinvented.

“It’s brilliant because of the way Robin has made the play,” says Donaldson. “The way she has written it because it’s a Pantomime. Scrooge was always so sad, but she’s made it fun.”

One of the fun things about doing community productions is the way locally “famous” personalities and dignitaries have a way of popping up as themselves in the show . . . without giving away who it will be, let’s say there are a few of those in A Christmas Carol: A Holiday Pantomime.

This show is being presentedby the Huntsville Festival of the Arts in partnership with the Huntsville Theatre Company.

Get your tickets today as they’re selling fast: https://huntsvillefestival.ca/event/christmas-carol-a-holiday-pantomime/

A few choice pics from their recent rehearsal …

The rest of the cast (in order of appearance) consists of . . .  

Street Musicians Hannah Shira Naiman (fiddle), Jay Osborne (Ukelele and Harmonica/ Dance Caller);
Lauren Rodrigues as Charlotte Dickens (Charles Dickens’ granddaughter, the Narrator); Mike Pearse as Scrooge; Mark Rodrigues as Bob Cratchit; Skye Goulbourne as Mrs. Cratchit; Jada Collins as Martha Cratchit; Justin Kopysh as Scrooge’s Nephew Fred; Hillary Bignell as Fred’s Wife Clara; CJ Seaman as the Ghost of Christmas Past (Seaman is also appears as one of two Young Ladies later in the play); Sarah Downes as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Jordan Ross as the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come; Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig are played by Maria Cockburn & Ken Cole; the Fezziwig Daughters are Paige Meunier (also a Marley’s Ghost and one of the W.I. Ladies), Victoria Hammond, and Terry Savory (who is also Stan the Office Worker); the Magic Spirits are Victoria Hammond, Sadie Laurence (also one of two Young Ladies), Hillary Bignell; the Clowns are Christopher Jordan-Stevens (who is also The Teacher and one of Marley’s Ghost) and Thomas Sinnege; Fan (Assistant to Scrooge) is Jordan Ross; the other Marley’s Ghost actor is Jay Osborne; the other W.I. Ladies are Cheri Killingworth, Julie Wallace, Linda Charbonneau, Pam Marshall Gray, Rachel Hunt, and Krystyne Scagnetti.
Stage management is being done by the incomparable Lynne Jackson, the costume designer is the stellar Barb Hartwick; and set design/make-up is the wonderful Suzanne Price.