“Scrooge!” live on stage in Gozo
This year Christmas is coming early in Gozo! In fact last rehearsals and preparations are in full swing at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre of Victoria where one of the best-loved musicals “SCROOGE!” will be staged in early November. This musical is being produced jointly by the Don Bosco Oratory and Chorus Urbanus Productions.
The music and lyrics of “SCROOGE!” are the work of Leslie Bricusse, based on the wellknown classic novel “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. This musical had an instant world-wide success when it was produced as a film back in 1970. The story is about the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
The original musical production on stage of “SCROOGE!” opened in the United Kingdom back in 1992, also with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Its score and book are closely adapted from the music and screenplay of the 1970 musical film Scrooge in which the well-known artist Albert Finney played the part of Scrooge.
Bricusse was nominated for an Academy Award (an Oscar) for the music score he wrote for the film, and most of those songs were carried over to the musical. As from 1992 up till this current season, the stage musical production of “SCROOGE!” has been and is still being played between November and January in some of the best theatres in the UK and around the world.
Now this year, thanks to the license and the relevant permits from Samuel French Limited of London, as well as with the financial support of the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, this same musical will be staged live in English on the stage of the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre in Gozo.
The opening night of “SCROOGE!” will be on Saturday 3rd November at 7.30pm, with a repeat performance on Sunday 4th November at 2.30pm (matinee show). Then there will be two other performances, one on Sunday 11th November at 5.30pm, and a last performance on the following Saturday 17th November at 7.30pm. This musical would be surely one of the best musical productions ever to be staged at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre of Gozo.
“SCROOGE!” is a 2.5 hour production of good music, catchy songs and witty moments. Its best loved popular songs include “December the 25th”, “Father Christmas”, “I Like Life” and “Thank You Very Much”. The best Gozitan talent will be show-cased in this musical together with a special guest artist from Malta, Ludwig Galea, who will be playing the role of Scrooge. Main parts will be played by Noel Galea, Mario Portelli, Ruth Portelli, Fabian Galea, Antonella Rapa, Hilda Grima and Kristen Grima, together with a 100-strong cast, including musicians, singers and dancers.
The musical director is Dr. John Galea, who is also the director of one of the best choirs in the Maltese Islands: the Chorus Urbanus, which is in fact the back-bone of this musical production. Salvu Cremona is the artistic director of the show, whilst the choreography of the musical is in the hands of Frances Zammit.
Booking is now open. Tickets for “SCROOGE!” can be obtained from the Don Bosco Oratory of Gozo every day between 5pm and 7pm, or else by phoning on 21556616 or 99487751. Booking by e-mail on donbogo@gmail.com is also accepted.