Hoping to ensure a smooth transition from scary costumes and darkened enclaves to cozy sweaters and fireplaces, TRU’s Actors Workshop Theatre brings to its stage a retelling of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, A Christmas Carol. Written by Canadian playwright Dan Bray, A Christmas Carol: The Revenge of Tiny Tim will come alive thanks to TRU talent starting Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The director for this play, Catriona Leger, has an impressive resume, with over 30 years of experience in theatre. As The Omega inquired about certain elements of the play, such as cast and production, Leger described this 80-minute production as “a creepy and wonderful delight … like [if] Tim Burton [were] to meet South Park.”
Bringing to the stage a new reaction to Scrooge’s money-driven and selfish trope, Bray rewrites Tiny Tim’s character and puts him under the spotlight, but instead of being limited to his classic innocent demeanor, Tiny Tim’s character has more to it.
“I think there’s a lot of things in the script that a modern audience is really going to relate to because it does touch on modern issues in a cheeky and subtle–sometimes not so subtle–way that hopefully will make us laugh. Either through ridiculousness or through satire,” Leger said.
A Christmas Carol: The Revenge of Tiny Tim ingeniously and joyfully addresses modern issues — such as the influence that billionaires hold over parts of the public — under the guise of a classic, sentimental story. Giving the Omega a little taste of Scrooge’s character, the director shared, “Scrooge is, of course, the Ebenezer Scrooge that we know, but there are hints of Elon Musk and Donald Trump in the way that he is written.”
The cast consists of seven actors, many of whom are taking on multiple roles. Leger also shared that there are some musical numbers in the play; later, revealing to The Omega that the audience could expect some singing on stage; it’s a first-time experience for the lead actor in the play.
Interested in getting to know the actor who will bring to life Bray’s Tiny Tim, The Omega spoke with Julian Burton.
“You got to be open to the challenge and new experiences of everything, right? So it’s a good opportunity to learn to do something new. And also, it’s a lot more, I think, fun and exciting because you’re doing it in [an] ensemble with the rest of the cast. So it’s not, like, as scary as signing by yourself,” Burton said.
According to Burton, the elements of the performance he has been working on most are Tiny Tim’s walk, particularly how to do it naturally with a crutch, and the accent corresponding to the lower classes in Victorian England. The latter was showcased in real time when asked about his favorite line, to which he answered with style, “‘But listen to me, blabbering away, like some sort of Charles dickhead’.”
To be ready for opening night, the cast and crew have been working nonstop, organizing, creating, and practicing for about six to seven weeks to ensure they are fully prepared for the curtains to open.
Dan Bray’s A Christmas Carol: The Revenge of Tiny Tim will premiere on Thursday, Nov. 27, and run until Saturday, Dec. 6. Showings will take place on Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4-6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the production can be purchased here or at the AWT box office.