Shakespearian thespian John Kirkpatrick, a St. Albert Children’s Theatre alumnus, is one of the most soft-spoken individuals you will ever meet.
And that’s why it’s such a delight to see him reprise the role of the terrifying Jacob Marley in the Citadel Theatre’s A Christmas Carol running Nov. 26 to Dec. 23.
Adapted from Charles Dickens’ famous story, it tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter, old miser who is transformed into a kinder man after Christmas Eve visitations from four spirits.
The spooky visitations come in the form of Jacob, his deceased business partner chained to his sins as well as the three Ghosts of Past, Present and Yet to Come.
And this year, Tom Wood returns to the stage to fill the role of Scrooge, one that he initially created. He will share the lead with Glenn Nelson, a commanding thespian who has served as an alternate Scrooge for the past four years.
The capital region has embraced this heartwarming tradition and actors will continue to accept monetary donations after each performance. To date $837,639 has been raised for the Edmonton Food Bank.
Tickets are at 780-425-1820 or citadeltheatre.com.
Trunk Theatre enters the season with Caryl Churchill’s Fen, a dour portrait of a class-conscious agrarian English village where women work in the potato fields.
Although they long to escape from dreary or tortured circumstances, there is no respite. In some cases, only death is their sole reprieve.
Directed by Amy de Felice, the play features Miranda Allen, Ellen Chorley, Julie Golosky, Monica Maddaford, Cody Porter and Jennifer Spence playing multiple roles.
Fen plays out Nov. 24 to Dec. 3 at the Varscona Theatre. Tickets are $22 to $25. Call 780-420-1757 or online at tixonthesquare.ca.
