It’s more than just Ebenezer Scrooge for Stephen Hair in Theatre Calgary’s new online A Christmas Carol
For 26 years, Stephen Hair has portrayed the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge in Theatre Calgary's production of A Christmas Carol.
He will do the same again this season, though he's also adding some additional characters to his repertoire as pandemic protocols have forced the theatre company to transform the muchloved Christmastime production.
Rather than a lavish performance played to a packed Max Bell Theatre, this year's 80-minute adaption by Geoffrey Simon Brown and directed by Stafford Arima is a three-person performance that was filmed and will be available to watch online.
“We don't have fancy sets. We don't have costume changes. But we do have actors transforming into multiple characters.... It will be theatrical and full of imagination,” he says of Theatre Calgary's 34th edition of the Charles Dickens classic.
Besides the elderly Scrooge, Hair also plays Scrooge at younger, happier times in his life, along with the generous and fun-loving Mr. Fezziwig and Mrs. Cratchit, the wife of Scrooge's underpaid, mucha bused clerk, Bob Cratchit.
“It's been interesting to explore the characters I've watched other wonderful actors play over the years. I'm beginning to understand more of how their stories affect Scrooge,” says Hair, adding the experience of instantly transitioning from character to character has been a new challenge.
Rounding out the cast of three — all of whom take on multiple roles — are Marshall Vielle and Jamie Tognazzini.
Performing in front of a camera, rather than an audience, also brings something new, both for performers and viewers.
“On film, an actor is playing to one person, not 800 people sitting in a theatre,” he says. “People can't see behind your eyes from a theatre seat, no matter what you do.”
Hair says no one is operating under the pretense of making a movie, though there will be edits to “refine” the experience for the audience. “We don't hide the fact we're on stage. In fact, we open by showing an empty theatre.”
A large LED video wall will serve as the show's backdrop, allowing digital imagery to help transform the space. For $25, one household can purchase digital access to the show for a five-day period between Dec. 11 and 31. “You and your family can gather around and watch it as many times as you want,” Hair says.
In keeping with A Christmas Carol tradition, Toonies for Turkeys — a fundraiser for the Calgary Food Bank — will be part of the experience.
Hair says the world needs Dickens' tale more than ever right now.
“Scrooge's journey is from darkness to light. Isn't that what we're all going through now? If we can give people a light of hope, then I don't think we can ask for anything more right now,” Hair says.
“There's snow, there's magic, there's fog, there's music by the wonderful Allison Lynch, but it's really all about imagination. If folks come along with us, it'll be wonderful,” Hair concludes.
To purchase digital access to this year's A Christmas Carol, visit theatrecalgary.com.