Innovative radio twist on a Christmas movie classic heads to town
Audiences will take a step back in time when a festive movie classic is given a fresh twist at the Tolbooth this weekend.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life; A Radio Play on Stage’ will be showing on Saturday from 7.30pm.
Those who have managed to bag themselves a ticket will be treated to an onstage 1940s style live radio broadcast.
Seven actors will play the roles of radio professionals – who in turn portray the characters in the famous film.
The idea is the brainchild of Kevin Jannetts, a 33-year-old producer, director and actor, and he spoke to the Observer about what audiences can expect on the night.
He said: “It’s an adaptation of the film in quite a unique format. It’s split into two acts and we have live sound effects, live radio adverts and even live music.
“Everything is of its time which can lead to some humorous moments. The adverts are for things like Spam and old cigarettes while the music is all 1940s.
“There are seven actors in the show and they are based in a small radio studio. They play all of the actors from the movie – around 30-odd in total – and they also do all of the adverts.
“They are incredibly talented and I think it’s really impressive to see. One of the actors actually plays 14 characters, and has to change outfits and personalities. It’s fun to watch.”
The show was initially a university project of Kevin’s while he was studying in Newcastle in 2012.
He added: “I’m a big fan of the original movie and I would watch it every year at Christmas. When I was at university I had to do a project as part of my honours year and that’s where the It’s a Wonderful Life radio play came from.
“We started out really small. We were in the meeting room at the arts guild in Greenock performing it in front of 30 people at first but it’s been changing and developing every year since then.
“The feedback we’ve had since we started doing this has all been really positive – we’ve had people of all ages coming along to see the show.” Kevin explained that the production gives those in attendance a rare opportunity to see how a 1940s radio broadcast was produced.
He said: “I think it does give people an insight into the way it was. It also gives the audience the chance to see a film they are probably really familiar with in a different format.
“We played at the Tolbooth last year and it’s a great venue so we’re really looking forward to coming back.
“I have some friends and family in Stirling so it will be a nice chance to catch up too.” While Kevin is undoubtedly set to be busy on the night as director and producer – he has another, more unusual, role to play.
He said: “I do a lot of the live sound effects – so I’ll be doing things like doorbells, typewriters, an umbrella, doors and even a talking bird.”
The show runs for 11 nights – starting at Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock and finishing at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on December 23.