In the fourth and final episode (“Forever”) of our CRATCHIT’S TABLE podcast limited series, the Cratchit Table turns as Director Nell Bang-Jensen returns, joining A CHRISTMAS CAROL adapter/composer and Producing Artistic Director of People's Light, Zak Berkman in a holiday twist: interviewing People’s Light Community Programs Creative Director/Associate Director, Andrew Watring as a guest! Together, they discuss Andrew’s community theatre roots, some joyful and touching memories from the rehearsal process, as well as finally getting to a lightning round of quick-fire questions!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL plays at People's Light in Malvern, PA from November 15-December 31, 2023.

CRATCHIT’S TABLE podcast
Producer: People's Light
Host & Line Producer: Andrew Watring
Audio Production/Editing: Matt Lazorwitz

CAST/CREATIVE:

Zak Berkman, adapter and composer

Nell Bang-Jensen, director

Intro/Outro Music: "Marley’s Arrival " by Zak Berkman

Follow People's Light on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @peopleslight

You can learn more about A Christmas Carol and buy tickets at https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20232024-season/a-christmas-carol/

Please consider giving a contribution to help People's Light continue to present work like this at www.peopleslight.org/support/donate/

Cratchit's Table Episode 4: FOREVER

It seems that one of the greatest versions of A Christmas Carol wasn't high enough on a list to make Luke happy!

Luke & Jeriney | Ranking Versions Of A Christmas Carol

Right then, let’s do this one last time: three ghosts, one bad man – and this time, not a Muppet nor a Mickey in sight. With the festive season upon us once again, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers gather to tackle the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come of Scrooge retellings – Robert Zemeckis’ motion-capture madness-fuelled 2009 version, Disney’s A Christmas Carol. Prepare for discussions of Jim Carrey’s malleable face, the wildest variants of the three ghosts yet,  front-flipping Bob Hoskins, a deeply unnerving Bob Cratchit, a brief history of Zemeckis’ ImageMovers Digital, and the terrifying presence of Ignorance and Want. It’s a wild ride of a film – Merry Christmas from Disniversity, and we’ll be back in the new year.

Next up: Treasure Planet

Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

BONUS: Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)

Two people. One life-changing connection. 

 ‘At times joyful and funny, at others heartbreaking, The Lifeline is an honest yet hopeful exploration of love, loneliness and the power of connection. Captivating, romantic and real – I loved it.’
Holly Miller

‘I'll read anything Tom Ellen writes, but The Lifeline is particularly special. This is a sharp and swoony romcom with deft undercurrents of more serious topics such as grief, remorse, and the important of being truly seen, listened to, and understood by those we love. I loved it.’
Holly Bourne

Will is sleepwalking through life. He works a dead-end job and volunteers at an anonymous crisis line to avoid facing his own problems.

Annie is sure she has her five-year plan all worked out. But when things start falling apart, she just needs someone who will listen. . .

They’re practically strangers but soon Will and Annie rely on their regular phone calls, challenging each other to be brave and rebuild their lives.

They’ve found connection in the most unlikely of places but is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met?

The Lifeline, By Tom Ellen, Read by Tom Lawrence and Katy Sobey

Join Kendall, Fulya and Michael on the podcast that refuses to behave! The crew chat about what they've watched this week before jumping in to the latest in Nerdy News brought to you by the hostess with the mostest Kendall Richardson.

Trailer Park: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Kraven the Hunter, and Only Murders in the Building.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Popcorn Culture: The team sit down to talk about some Doctor Who. In this episode, Kendall, Michael, and Fulya discuss their thoughts on the series 5 Christmas Special - A Christmas Carol.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments! You can also check out the full video version over at youtube.com/fredthealienproductions

320: A Podcast Called FRED - Talking Who

Introducing the worlds first Ai produced stage musical.. THE MISER KING!

Using the creative musical power of uDio to create the music, this is the opening theme music from the stage musical 'The Miser King' a new retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. 

Adapted and Produced by James Rea Jr of Belfast Bohemian Productions.

Opening Theme

Introducing the worlds first Ai produced stage musical.. THE MISER KING!

Using the creative musical power of uDio to create the music, this is the closing curtain finale music from the stage musical 'The Miser King' a new retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Adapted and Produced by James Rea Jr of Belfast Bohemian Productions.

The Miser King

Curtain Finale

Charles Dickens public readings. This audio gives the history and background to Mr Charles Dickens public readings.

Dickens was, first and foremost, an entertainer. From childhood, and into adult life, he loved the stage, and loved and needed the outpouring of adulation he received. He performed in amateur theatricals throughout the 1840s and 50s and, had he not achieved early fame as a writer, would almost certainly have made a career on the stage. Charles Kent, who had seen Dickens' public readings firsthand, observed that he had "an extraordinary degree of dramatic element in his character. It was an integral part of his individuality"

Dickens began giving public readings of his works in 1853, first for charity, and beginning in 1858, for profit. Before this time no great author had performed their works in public, but Dickens' works were uniquely suited for performance, as they would later successfully adapt to the screen. Dickens' friend and advisor, John Forster, argued unsuccessfully that such public exhibition for money was beneath his calling as a writer and a gentleman 

Throughout the 1860s, except for a break at mid-decade when he was writing Our Mutual Friend, Dickens undertook reading tours of Britain, making more money from the readings than he could from writing, even though he always made sure that seats were available at working-class prices.

The performances initially included the Christmas books: A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and Cricket on the Hearth. Later Dickens incorporated scenes from Dombey and Son, Nicholas Nickleby, Pickwick Papers, Martin Chuzzlewit, and his favorite, David Copperfield. He tightened the narrative, wrote stage directions to himself in the margins, and tried to infuse as much humour as possible, leaving out passages of social criticism as inappropriate for evenings of entertainment.

Charles Dickens biographer Edgar Johnson on the public readings: "It was more than a reading; it was an extraordinary exhibition of acting ...without a single prop or bit of costume, by changes of voice, by gesture, by vocal expression, Dickens peopled his stage with a throng of characters".  Thomas Carlyle, author and friend of Dickens, after attending one of the readings, remarked "Charley, you carry a whole company under your own hat" 

After much deliberation, and with the promise of big money, he undertook a reading tour of America from December 1867- April 1868 which earned him just under £20,000.

Dickens, in declining health, began a farewell tour of Britain in October 1868, upon his return to England. This tour included a new, and very passionate, dramatic performance of the murder of Nancy from Oliver Twist. This reading proved controversial for two reasons: that the subject matter would cause mass hysteria among the women present, and that the effort necessary for Dickens to perform the reading successfully would have a detrimental effect on his health. Indeed, many believe that the energy expended in this performance, which he insisted on including even as his health worsened, hastened his premature death on June 9, 1870. During the last series of readings, taking place at St. James's Hall in London from January to March, 1870, Dickens' doctor, Frank Beard, attended every reading and had steps installed onto the stage. He gave instruction to Dickens' son Charley, "You must be there every night, and if you see your father falter in the least, you must run and catch him and bring him off to me, or, by Heaven, he'll die before them all".  Mark Twain saw Dickens perform in January 1868 at the Steinway Hall in New York.

Charles Dickens' Public Readings

Published in 1843, A Christmas Carol is perhaps Dickens' most famous and enduring work, encapsulating his social concerns, moral teachings, and compassion for the less fortunate. Written at a time when Christmas was being revitalized as a major holiday, the novella contributed significantly to popularizing many Christmas traditions that are still practiced today.

Themes:
Redemption: The central theme of A Christmas Carol is the possibility of redemption. Scrooge’s transformation from a miser to a benefactor shows that it’s never too late to change one’s life and make a positive impact on others.

Social Responsibility: Dickens emphasizes the moral duty of the wealthy to care for the less fortunate. Scrooge’s ignorance of poverty and his refusal to help others are condemned, while acts of charity and kindness are celebrated.

Christmas Spirit: The novella promotes the values of compassion, generosity, and goodwill associated with Christmas. Dickens presents the holiday as a time for reflection, renewal, and reaching out to others.

Time and Memory: The ghosts that visit Scrooge represent different phases of time, reminding him of his past, showing him the present, and warning him of the future. Dickens uses this to highlight how our actions ripple across time and impact others.

Impact and Legacy: A Christmas Carol was an immediate success upon publication and has since become one of the most beloved stories in English literature. The novella’s message of hope, generosity, and redemption has resonated with generations of readers, and it has been adapted countless times into films, plays, and other media.

In addition to its lasting popularity, A Christmas Carol played a significant role in reviving the Christmas holiday in Victorian England, popularizing festive traditions like family gatherings, feasting, and charitable giving. It remains a timeless tale that continues to be read and performed during the holiday season, reminding people of the importance of kindness and human connection.

Conclusion
Charles Dickens, through his life and works, profoundly shaped English literature and social thought. A Christmas Carol, with its enduring themes of generosity and transformation, remains a testament to his compassion for humanity and his belief in the potential for change in every individual.

A Christmas Carol Background

Interview with director Jordan Nichols regarding Theatre Memphis' 47th consecutive annual performance of A Christmas Carol. Original air date 12/02/24 on WKNO Checking on the Arts with Kacky Walton.

Theatre Memphis - A Christmas Carol 2024

Ebenezer

For all those who know the story here is a taste of a mysterious old toy that connects you to the spirt of Christmas future!

I created this track using fair use sound effects and other audio. 

Nightmare from Christmas Future

This is a sermon delivered by The Rev. Trey Kennedy at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Drexel Hill, PA. For a permanent link to this and other sermons, please go to therevtreysthoughts.blogspot.com

Listening with Scrooge and Mary: 4th Sunday of Advent

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
produced Circuit Arts
circuitarts.org  

CAST
Narrator ... Brian Ditchfield
Scrooge ... Shelagh Hackett
Bob Crachit, Belle’s Husband, Topper, and Business Man ... Chris Kann
Fred and Belle ... Brooke Hardman Ditchfield
Caroler, Ghost Of Christmas Past, Belinda, and Laundress ... Katherine Reid
Marley, Lighthouse Keeper, Old Joe, & Business Man ... Brad Austin
Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Crachit, and Fred’s Wife ... Heather Capece 
Fezziwig, Ghost Of Christmas Present, and Undertaker’s Man ... Dhakir Warren 
Caroler, Fan, and Martha Crachit ... Nicola “Koko” Capece
Caroler & Elizabeth Crachit ... Isla Ditchfield
Young Scrooge, Peter Crachit, and Boy ... Owen Ditchfield
Tiny Tim ... Sloan Warren

CREW
Adaptors and Directors ... Brooke Hardman Ditchfield and Brian Ditchfield
Music Direction and Violin … Brooke Hardman Ditchfield 
Piano … Katherine Reid
Sound Recording ... Jimmy Parr 
Sound Effects ... Katherine Reid, Heather Capece, Will Thornton
Production Support ... Kelly Kaye, Isabella Iaccarino, Carl Gosselin, Will Thornton

DONATE

Circuit Arts presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

FRED the ALIEN Productions is a popular culture-centric art collective, where members explore their creativity and express themselves through podcasts, YouTube videos, and Melbourne stage shows.

Publishers of award-winning fiction and non-fiction audiobooks for adults and children. Listen to exclusive clips from our books and free audioook extracts here on Soundcloud.

Hey thank you for checking out my profile! I am another brand, hence my artist name. I appreciate anyone who gives my content a listen. I enjoy many genres of music, and here I'll say for what I've done its experimental. I really enjoy film and game soundtracks which as you can hear is an reflection of that which I'm happy to share with others who will listen. I have done phenomenal work with my homes J-Phenomenon in the past who has great content that I highly suggest checking out here on Soundcloud too.

I serve as a minister in The Episcopal Church. These are sermons and other thoughts I've had throughout my ministry. Go to therevtreysthoughts.blogspot.com to hear more.

One of the last radio stations in the United States that not only features local/regional content, but never forgets that radio is a one on one mode of communication. And, of course, we bring you classic rock/folk/world music from the 20th Century, but Americana from the last and this century as well.

The podcast crash course through the history of Disney's animated classics, by film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr Sam Summers. 

Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Note: This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

New tracks tagged #A Christmas Carol