Carol's new Scrooge born for the part

Richard McMillan is the type of actor who was born to play Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ famous tale A Christmas Carol, now playing at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre.

The veteran actor glides into his character’s shoes with so much ease, Dickens’ might as well have hand-picked McMillan to play the role of English literature’s most famous tight-fisted old coot.

The story takes us back to Victorian England where, in London, appalling living and working conditions for the city’s underprivileged reflect the large disparity between rich and poor.

During the Industrial Revolution, London grew to almost four times its former size on the backs of poor workers who, in the 1840s, included many children under the age of 10.

Dickens knew this scenario all too well, having been sent to work in a factory at age 12 after his father was sent to debtor’s prison.

His main character in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge, is a tetchy old penny-pincher blind to the plight of others around him, specifically his sole employee Bob Cratchit, who struggles to give his family a memorable Christmas despite a meagre income from Scrooge.

Scrooge is immune to Crachit’s unwavering optimism as the holiday approaches, even with the realization that Cratchit cannot afford medical treatment for his youngest son Tiny Tim.

The audience is invited to accompany Scrooge on a journey with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas, which is found in the spirit of giving and being surrounded by the ones you love.

Julian Arnold of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast delivers a strong performance as Cratchit and is a delight to watch, as is Kate Ryan as his wife, Mrs. Cratchit.

Ryland Alexander as Fred and April Banigan as Alice are equally strong and add to the robust cast.

It is McMillan as Scrooge however, who steals the show.

As the curmudgeonly Scrooge, McMillan hobbles around the stage spitting insults and hurling profanities at those around him. Once transformed into a generous and soft-hearted man by his three visitors, McMillan’s Scrooge is warm and twinkle-eyed. He last appeared at the Citadel in Fire and Three Men on a Horse and has toured extensively throughout England and North America. McMillan has many Shakespearean plays to his name and anyone who sees him as Scrooge this Christmas will have no trouble picturing him in the role of Scar in The Lion King.

Tom Wood based the production, directed by Bob Baker and Geoffrey Brumlik, on a traditional adaptation.

Designer Leslie Frankish and those in the Citadel’s prop shop have designed a set that brings the audience into the dark and scary streets of old London, complete with moving street lamps, to a jovial Christmas gathering. No doubt one of the challenges for the group was the 16-foot-tall Ghost of Christmas Future.

It’s been said that Dickens’ famous tale can be credited with instilling a spirit of giving around the holiday season, something that continues to this day.

For 10 years audiences attending A Christmas Carol at the Citadel Theatre have donated nearly half a million dollars to the Edmonton Food Bank. Cast members accept donations of cash and food following each performance with 100 per cent of proceeds going straight to the food bank.

A Christmas Carol continues until Dec. 23. For more information, go to www.citadeltheatre.com.