A Chritmas Carol
Mon, 20 Dec 2004, 12:38 pmWalter Plinge5 posts in thread
A Chritmas Carol
Mon, 20 Dec 2004, 12:38 pmI must preface my review by stating that I have no use for Xmas or anything it allegedly stands for. Over the years IÂ’ve developed quite the hang up when it comes to anything Yuletidish. Imagine my shock then, when I came away from seeing this production feeling more Xmasie than I have since I was a kiddie!! Quite simply put, Attic's inaugural show is an absolute JOY!!!!!! I rediscovered the love of a tale that has to be one of the most reworked in literary history and is as pertinent today as it was when first penned.
The venue is stunning!! ItÂ’s an amazing building with perfectly tended gardens and is a really top spot for putting on the Classics. The whole space was used to great effect, so that at times you felt as though the story swirled around you. I canÂ’t wait to see how the space is utilised for the next two Attic shows.
Steve, as always, has cast this show impeccably. The cast is strong and work beautifully together. The pace was cracking and the energy levels did not drop at any point. The use of songs and music and lighting all added to the magic.
As usual, I have sat down to write a review without my programme, so I hope the actors will forgive me for not knowing some of their names. Special mention must be made for a few of the performances. The fellow playing Bob Crachett was a delight to watch. I've not seen him before, but hope to see much more of him in the future!! I nearly went to pieces each time the child who played Tiny Tim appeared. Gees, what a poppet! And the actor who played the second spirit was hilarious!!! Again, I apologise for being grossly unprepared, as always.
Lastly, I must make special mention of Sir Kingsley Judd. I’ve been a huge fan of his work since he floored me with his performance of “Danny” the drug dealer in “Withnail and I” a few years ago. I have seen many of Kingley’s shows since and always leave a little bit blown away by the depth of his range and talent. Scrooge is right up their with his best work. The transformation of the character, the physicality and the voice were all delivered with emotion, generosity and incredible energy. Thank you, Kingsley, for one of the most beautiful performances I have seen this year.
Honestly, I canÂ’t rave about this show enough!! Take the parents/grandparents, take the kids, pack booze and nibbles and DEFinitely take a cushion if youÂ’re sitting on the seats provided, as they can have a numbing effect on oneÂ’s arse.
Bugger it! Skip church on Xmas Eve and go see this instead. A couple of the carols mention baby Jebus, so itÂ’s practically the same as going to mass, only waaaaaaay more fun.
Huge congratulations to Stephen the cast and the crew for a truly magical Christmas experience!!
J
The venue is stunning!! ItÂ’s an amazing building with perfectly tended gardens and is a really top spot for putting on the Classics. The whole space was used to great effect, so that at times you felt as though the story swirled around you. I canÂ’t wait to see how the space is utilised for the next two Attic shows.
Steve, as always, has cast this show impeccably. The cast is strong and work beautifully together. The pace was cracking and the energy levels did not drop at any point. The use of songs and music and lighting all added to the magic.
As usual, I have sat down to write a review without my programme, so I hope the actors will forgive me for not knowing some of their names. Special mention must be made for a few of the performances. The fellow playing Bob Crachett was a delight to watch. I've not seen him before, but hope to see much more of him in the future!! I nearly went to pieces each time the child who played Tiny Tim appeared. Gees, what a poppet! And the actor who played the second spirit was hilarious!!! Again, I apologise for being grossly unprepared, as always.
Lastly, I must make special mention of Sir Kingsley Judd. I’ve been a huge fan of his work since he floored me with his performance of “Danny” the drug dealer in “Withnail and I” a few years ago. I have seen many of Kingley’s shows since and always leave a little bit blown away by the depth of his range and talent. Scrooge is right up their with his best work. The transformation of the character, the physicality and the voice were all delivered with emotion, generosity and incredible energy. Thank you, Kingsley, for one of the most beautiful performances I have seen this year.
Honestly, I canÂ’t rave about this show enough!! Take the parents/grandparents, take the kids, pack booze and nibbles and DEFinitely take a cushion if youÂ’re sitting on the seats provided, as they can have a numbing effect on oneÂ’s arse.
Bugger it! Skip church on Xmas Eve and go see this instead. A couple of the carols mention baby Jebus, so itÂ’s practically the same as going to mass, only waaaaaaay more fun.
Huge congratulations to Stephen the cast and the crew for a truly magical Christmas experience!!
J
Walter PlingeMon, 20 Dec 2004, 12:38 pm
I must preface my review by stating that I have no use for Xmas or anything it allegedly stands for. Over the years IÂ’ve developed quite the hang up when it comes to anything Yuletidish. Imagine my shock then, when I came away from seeing this production feeling more Xmasie than I have since I was a kiddie!! Quite simply put, Attic's inaugural show is an absolute JOY!!!!!! I rediscovered the love of a tale that has to be one of the most reworked in literary history and is as pertinent today as it was when first penned.
The venue is stunning!! ItÂ’s an amazing building with perfectly tended gardens and is a really top spot for putting on the Classics. The whole space was used to great effect, so that at times you felt as though the story swirled around you. I canÂ’t wait to see how the space is utilised for the next two Attic shows.
Steve, as always, has cast this show impeccably. The cast is strong and work beautifully together. The pace was cracking and the energy levels did not drop at any point. The use of songs and music and lighting all added to the magic.
As usual, I have sat down to write a review without my programme, so I hope the actors will forgive me for not knowing some of their names. Special mention must be made for a few of the performances. The fellow playing Bob Crachett was a delight to watch. I've not seen him before, but hope to see much more of him in the future!! I nearly went to pieces each time the child who played Tiny Tim appeared. Gees, what a poppet! And the actor who played the second spirit was hilarious!!! Again, I apologise for being grossly unprepared, as always.
Lastly, I must make special mention of Sir Kingsley Judd. I’ve been a huge fan of his work since he floored me with his performance of “Danny” the drug dealer in “Withnail and I” a few years ago. I have seen many of Kingley’s shows since and always leave a little bit blown away by the depth of his range and talent. Scrooge is right up their with his best work. The transformation of the character, the physicality and the voice were all delivered with emotion, generosity and incredible energy. Thank you, Kingsley, for one of the most beautiful performances I have seen this year.
Honestly, I canÂ’t rave about this show enough!! Take the parents/grandparents, take the kids, pack booze and nibbles and DEFinitely take a cushion if youÂ’re sitting on the seats provided, as they can have a numbing effect on oneÂ’s arse.
Bugger it! Skip church on Xmas Eve and go see this instead. A couple of the carols mention baby Jebus, so itÂ’s practically the same as going to mass, only waaaaaaay more fun.
Huge congratulations to Stephen the cast and the crew for a truly magical Christmas experience!!
J
The venue is stunning!! ItÂ’s an amazing building with perfectly tended gardens and is a really top spot for putting on the Classics. The whole space was used to great effect, so that at times you felt as though the story swirled around you. I canÂ’t wait to see how the space is utilised for the next two Attic shows.
Steve, as always, has cast this show impeccably. The cast is strong and work beautifully together. The pace was cracking and the energy levels did not drop at any point. The use of songs and music and lighting all added to the magic.
As usual, I have sat down to write a review without my programme, so I hope the actors will forgive me for not knowing some of their names. Special mention must be made for a few of the performances. The fellow playing Bob Crachett was a delight to watch. I've not seen him before, but hope to see much more of him in the future!! I nearly went to pieces each time the child who played Tiny Tim appeared. Gees, what a poppet! And the actor who played the second spirit was hilarious!!! Again, I apologise for being grossly unprepared, as always.
Lastly, I must make special mention of Sir Kingsley Judd. I’ve been a huge fan of his work since he floored me with his performance of “Danny” the drug dealer in “Withnail and I” a few years ago. I have seen many of Kingley’s shows since and always leave a little bit blown away by the depth of his range and talent. Scrooge is right up their with his best work. The transformation of the character, the physicality and the voice were all delivered with emotion, generosity and incredible energy. Thank you, Kingsley, for one of the most beautiful performances I have seen this year.
Honestly, I canÂ’t rave about this show enough!! Take the parents/grandparents, take the kids, pack booze and nibbles and DEFinitely take a cushion if youÂ’re sitting on the seats provided, as they can have a numbing effect on oneÂ’s arse.
Bugger it! Skip church on Xmas Eve and go see this instead. A couple of the carols mention baby Jebus, so itÂ’s practically the same as going to mass, only waaaaaaay more fun.
Huge congratulations to Stephen the cast and the crew for a truly magical Christmas experience!!
J
crgwllmsMon, 20 Dec 2004, 09:35 pm
Re: A Christmas Carol
Julia Dalby wrote:
>
> Quite simply put, Attic's inaugural show is
> an absolute JOY!!!!!!
I totally agree with Julia's assessment. I really enjoyed the production and thought it was a terrific vision and use of the new space.
Graham Mitchell was Bob Cratchett. Dan Luxton was the spirit of Xmas present. Also in the cast were Anna Bennett, Alan Girod, Sarah McKellar, Michelle Nussey, Ben Russell, Stephen Whiley, and Angelique Malcolm...all of them playing a multitude of great narrating characters. I don't know the names of the kids involved, but they were delightful and did a really good job too.
And yes, Kingsley Judd seemed made for this role and I can't imagine anyone being able to top him in it. Totally convincing as a frail old man, yet able to return with amazing energy and exhuberance and still be quite believable, physically and emotionally.
The use of carols from the era and a solo violin accompaniment before and during the show created the perfect mood, looking up at the majestic building.
Looking forward to what's to come....(!)
Cheers,
Craig
>
> Quite simply put, Attic's inaugural show is
> an absolute JOY!!!!!!
I totally agree with Julia's assessment. I really enjoyed the production and thought it was a terrific vision and use of the new space.
Graham Mitchell was Bob Cratchett. Dan Luxton was the spirit of Xmas present. Also in the cast were Anna Bennett, Alan Girod, Sarah McKellar, Michelle Nussey, Ben Russell, Stephen Whiley, and Angelique Malcolm...all of them playing a multitude of great narrating characters. I don't know the names of the kids involved, but they were delightful and did a really good job too.
And yes, Kingsley Judd seemed made for this role and I can't imagine anyone being able to top him in it. Totally convincing as a frail old man, yet able to return with amazing energy and exhuberance and still be quite believable, physically and emotionally.
The use of carols from the era and a solo violin accompaniment before and during the show created the perfect mood, looking up at the majestic building.
Looking forward to what's to come....(!)
Cheers,
Craig
Walter PlingeThu, 23 Dec 2004, 09:28 am
A Christmas Delight
I DARE you to BAH HUMBUG! this production!!
Firstly, I have to disclose my love of Christmas...to hell with the commercialism but YAY for that feeling of "good will to all...people"! It's a time when some of us who never do anything nice for anyone during the whole year, might give something to charity (even if it's a tin of peas you've really no use for-pea's are good) or make a random act of kindness and it's a time when people travel for lots of kilometres to see loved ones they may not have seen for years or just travel around the corner to their old Uncle Scrooge whom they haven't "seen" for years. Do you see where the fabulous Stephen Lee, the magnificent Mr Judd and associates have me? In the clutches of an altruistic Christmas!
Secondly, I disclose my love of Classics...the splendid lighting collaborated with the magical setting of St George's College to provide a fairy tale setting for this well known and loved Christmas story. I was MORE than ready to be transported into Scrooge's world of pain and ultimate pleasure....and that's precisely where the wonderful Kingsley Judd took us. Kingsley's intensity from the outset made us immediately surrender to the story and the strong and talented ensemble cast convincingly carried us to Christmas 150 or so years ago. Here, I must congratulate the director and costumier who made the experience so much more pleasurable by presenting convincing and attractive costuming. Stephen Lee's careful attention to style and era specifics so graciously permeated the mood of the piece and swept us along in it's gentle enchantment.
Thirdly, I disclose that I may have met the director and worked with one or two of the cast members, erhem, indeed, am Aunt to one of them but let this in no way affect the exhuberance of my recommendation of this production. I went along with my Bah Humbug husband who quite loathes anything Christmas and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience too. So PLEASE, if you're thinking about going - DO! It's entirely rewarding.
Congratulations to all the brilliant cast and crew and to Stephen Lee for choosing this refreshingly innocent and lovely story to give us at Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
Jen McCann
PS Take something warm because it's freezing!!
Firstly, I have to disclose my love of Christmas...to hell with the commercialism but YAY for that feeling of "good will to all...people"! It's a time when some of us who never do anything nice for anyone during the whole year, might give something to charity (even if it's a tin of peas you've really no use for-pea's are good) or make a random act of kindness and it's a time when people travel for lots of kilometres to see loved ones they may not have seen for years or just travel around the corner to their old Uncle Scrooge whom they haven't "seen" for years. Do you see where the fabulous Stephen Lee, the magnificent Mr Judd and associates have me? In the clutches of an altruistic Christmas!
Secondly, I disclose my love of Classics...the splendid lighting collaborated with the magical setting of St George's College to provide a fairy tale setting for this well known and loved Christmas story. I was MORE than ready to be transported into Scrooge's world of pain and ultimate pleasure....and that's precisely where the wonderful Kingsley Judd took us. Kingsley's intensity from the outset made us immediately surrender to the story and the strong and talented ensemble cast convincingly carried us to Christmas 150 or so years ago. Here, I must congratulate the director and costumier who made the experience so much more pleasurable by presenting convincing and attractive costuming. Stephen Lee's careful attention to style and era specifics so graciously permeated the mood of the piece and swept us along in it's gentle enchantment.
Thirdly, I disclose that I may have met the director and worked with one or two of the cast members, erhem, indeed, am Aunt to one of them but let this in no way affect the exhuberance of my recommendation of this production. I went along with my Bah Humbug husband who quite loathes anything Christmas and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience too. So PLEASE, if you're thinking about going - DO! It's entirely rewarding.
Congratulations to all the brilliant cast and crew and to Stephen Lee for choosing this refreshingly innocent and lovely story to give us at Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
Jen McCann
PS Take something warm because it's freezing!!
Walter PlingeFri, 24 Dec 2004, 10:18 am
Carol Christmas Eve Important Info
Julia, Craig, Jen and everyone else who has given so much positive feedback about A Christmas Carol - on behalf of all involved with Attic - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
No-one involved in the show could probably have asked for a better Christmas present than to have A Christmas Carol generate so many 'warm fuzzies' (although that doesn't mean we'll be handing back anything by way of jewellery, ferraris, champagne, etc prettily wrapped and given by well meaning friends and rellies).
For anyone who is planning to come along at the last minute for the Christmas Eve show - a couple of notes. Firstly, we start an hour EARLIER tonight, with carols at 6:45pm and the show starting at 7:00pm (gates open for picnics at 6:00pm) - so don't be late. Secondly, we are actually sold out for this evening (YAY!), although it being an outdoor venue, we're not likely to turn anyone away (but it would help immensely if you could bring your own deckchair - the full height ones, not the low beach variety). And, yes, bring a jacket - the breeze from the river has been a bit fierce on the last couple of nights.
Also, in the Christmas spirit, just a reminder that $5.00 from every ticket sold for this evening goes to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, so if you haven't got round to doing anything even mildly altruistic yet this season, come and enjoy the show and know that you are doing something 'good' at the same time!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and make sure you are sobered up in time for Attic's next production - As You Like It - opening on 6 January at St George's College, again in the courtyard, although from a slightly different aspect. Book through BOCS or give me a call on 0408 958 840.
Margaret
No-one involved in the show could probably have asked for a better Christmas present than to have A Christmas Carol generate so many 'warm fuzzies' (although that doesn't mean we'll be handing back anything by way of jewellery, ferraris, champagne, etc prettily wrapped and given by well meaning friends and rellies).
For anyone who is planning to come along at the last minute for the Christmas Eve show - a couple of notes. Firstly, we start an hour EARLIER tonight, with carols at 6:45pm and the show starting at 7:00pm (gates open for picnics at 6:00pm) - so don't be late. Secondly, we are actually sold out for this evening (YAY!), although it being an outdoor venue, we're not likely to turn anyone away (but it would help immensely if you could bring your own deckchair - the full height ones, not the low beach variety). And, yes, bring a jacket - the breeze from the river has been a bit fierce on the last couple of nights.
Also, in the Christmas spirit, just a reminder that $5.00 from every ticket sold for this evening goes to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, so if you haven't got round to doing anything even mildly altruistic yet this season, come and enjoy the show and know that you are doing something 'good' at the same time!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and make sure you are sobered up in time for Attic's next production - As You Like It - opening on 6 January at St George's College, again in the courtyard, although from a slightly different aspect. Book through BOCS or give me a call on 0408 958 840.
Margaret
Walter PlingeSun, 26 Dec 2004, 12:58 pm
Re: A Chritmas Carol
Julia,
Thank you for your very generous remarks.
I am very pleased you enjoyed our production - we greatly enjoyed playing it and working with the remarkable Stephen Lee.
Happy Christmas!
Graham Mitchell
Thank you for your very generous remarks.
I am very pleased you enjoyed our production - we greatly enjoyed playing it and working with the remarkable Stephen Lee.
Happy Christmas!
Graham Mitchell