THERE’S a story behind the selection of A Christmas Carol for the St Stanislaus’ College production at the end of this year.
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The college’s head of creative arts and director of the play, Graham Low, is almost at the end of his sixth year at Stannies, with an impressive 12 productions to his name.
“I will be moving back to England in December - so around Christmas time. I guess I chose a good British play to go out on,” he said.
“It will be quite emotional. All the year 11s have been there pretty much since I started, so it will be sad to see them go.”
Stannies puts on two productions annually: a musical early in the year and a play at the end.
The college put on a successful production of West Side Story earlier this year.
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ classic tale, tells the story of bitter old Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation into a better person after he is visited by a number of spirits.
The cast of 25 students, five from MacKillop College and 20 from Stannies, have been working hard during rehearsals as the first performance approaches.
“It’s a very style-like play, with one main character and the chorus taking on a number of different roles,” Mr Low said.
The sets, completed by teacher Andrew Orme-Smith, recreate old Victorian London with snow-filled streets, St Paul’s Cathedral and a bleak-looking River Thames.
“These sets are the perfect backdrop for this classic Victorian story of Scrooge, the cold, miserly and world weary character, making his way through this bleak winter London landscape,” Mr Low said.
“Mr Orme-Smith will also be making a goose fit for a Christmas feast and a lovely Christmas pudding – not edible - to be consumed by Bob Cratchit and his family during each performance.”
Talented teacher Kate Welsh, meanwhile, has done a “brilliant job”, according to Mr Low, in finding costumes to suit the period.
Victoria Roth has been busy sourcing the sound effects of Victorian London – which include Westminster chimes – and David Glasson has made the chairs and tables required for the Victorian look of the production.
The play will run from Tuesday, November 22 to Saturday, November 26 from 7.30pm in the Stannies Performing Arts Centre.
Tickets will go on sale in the weeks leading up to the production.
