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Local Guides
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Scrooge
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by
Katie Penrose
December 11 - 17, 2008 |
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I went to see The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge at four o’clock last
Saturday afternoon, and I was one of only four people in the
audience. It was gray and freezing that weekend, and Black Box
Fire only saw about 40 people for their three shows (including
Friday and Saturday nights). Not only is it the season for festivity,
but more importantly, a good play needs an audience! So you’ll
have to go rain or sleet or snow this coming weekend.
The idea behind this kid–friendly Christmas show is
Ebenezer Scrooge’s trial, one year after his miraculous Christmas
Eve epiphany (that we’re all so familiar with), wherein he attempts
to prove that he was unjustly harassed by Marley’s ghost and of
course those of past, present and future Christmases.
Though the progression of this play may be predictable, the
script is well–executed and funny. We were all laughing out loud,
and I didn’t mind the rehearsal feel. Everyone was really
comfortable on stage and having a good time. The play has plenty
of unexpected nuances and excellent performances by all, which
is typical of Black Box Fire shows.
Scrooge is played with the experienced stature of Jason
Dick, a regular favourite on Hamilton stages, this time sporting
gray hair and a stingy suit. His performance was a little bit too
safe and calculated; the portrayal needed more life, more
personality. But he is strong and professional as ever, and I found
him enjoyable in the role.
Andrew Hadden played the Judge, an important character
that he handled with proper authoritative boom and frustrated
energy. Michael Anania was especially funny as the Bailiff, whose
enthusiasm and goofy charm rounded out the cast with a cute
twist.
As ever, I highly enjoyed Parker David Martin, who played a
hilarious howling Marley and Bob Cratchit as well. His
performances are always well thought out and very watchable;
he’s a favourite of mine.
Sara Weber also did an excellent job with her role as
translator for the ghost of Christmas yet to come; she was a great
straight man, and in fact that pair was the funniest thing in the
show. Alicia Micallef played both the ghost of Christmas past and
Belle, and she did so beautifully.
Jim Molloy played Rothschild, the smooth yet polite lawyer
who defends the ghosts against Scrooge’s accusations. He was
something right out of the ‘50s, and very enjoyable, albeit a bit
young in his role. In fact for a courtroom scene it felt like there
was a general lack of formality, but I suppose that was part of the
kid–friendly factor.
It would have improved things if Rothschild had been
situated across the stage from Scrooge instead of right beside
him. The set would have been better with a stroke more
decoration and rearrangement of the pieces. The script could
have been improved with a few changes also, including a
resolution to the anticipated ghost of christmas present, who
never actually appeared. I was left wondering what became of
him, and thinking he could have really kicked the show home.
Other than that, all elements were spot on. The action
flowed well and all the characters found great comedy in their
interaction. Matt Moore has proven himself to be an excellent
director, and this time he has brought a wonderful Christmas play
to life for the holidays. Go see it! V
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
by Mark Brown
w/ Black Box Fire
Through December 13th
Hamilton Theatre Inc.
140 MacNab N., Hamilton
BlackBoxFire.com
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