A Christmas Carol
02 December 2009
The Christmas season began in earnest on Tuesday with a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’, adapted and performed at Terra Nova by the touring theatre company ‘Rain or Shine’. Years 3 to 8 were treated to a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment by a group who, far from ‘dumbing down’ Dickens’ tale, used much of the original Victorian text.
The actors cleverly combined their own touches of humour, together with plenty of audience participation – the children provided the whistling wind, the wailing ghosts, the clanking chains, the church bells and the chiming clock, while the adults joined in (on cue) with festive cheer; and there were even speaking parts for two unsuspecting members of staff!
‘Many of the children have been studying and imitating some of the language in Dickens’ tale and were obviously delighted to recognise lines in the play,’ said Head of English and Drama, Robin McCarthy. ‘And what a treat to have real professionals, all with a good Shakespearean background, performing for our children.’
