Image: Supplied by Dianna Lewis from Gallery 7 Theatre / Lawrence Locke performs over 40 different characters in Gallery 7 Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Ron Reed.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

A Christmas Carol

Gallery 7 Theatre staging ‘A Christmas Carol’ Dec. 9-17

Dec 6, 2022 | 8:48 AM

ABBOTSFORD — In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas shopping season, Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford hopes Charles Dickens’ classic story will bring out the essence of Christmas festivities.

This Christmas, Gallery 7 Theatre is bringing extra cheer to the holiday season by staging Charles Dickens’ classic story, A Christmas Carol. Adapted by Vancouver playwright, Ron Reed, and performed by Lawrence Locke in an unforgettable tour-de-force re-enactment of the novella, the show will run Friday, December 9 through Saturday, December 17 at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.

The storyline details how the miserly Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, one frigid Christmas Eve. The ghost informs the selfish Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits over the next three nights. As the spirits confront the misanthrope one by one with images of past, present, and future, a magical journey of the heart, mind and spirit develops, and Scrooge discovers the true essence of the Christmas season.

“There’s something wonderfully beautiful and theatrical in the one-person show,” said Ken Hildebrandt, Executive/Artistic Director of Gallery 7 Theatre. “We marvel at the actor’s ability to transform in to many different characters as they take us through a story that is captivating, thought-provoking and ultimately highly entertaining. This is a faithful (and Canadian!) rendition of the classic story, and I think the show will add to the joy of the holidays as its message of hope, charity and giving resonates with audiences.”

Performing 40 plus characters is Abbotsford performer Lawrence Locke. Locke has extensive experience as an actor and audio-book narrator. He has performed in such Gallery 7 Theatre shows as Around the World in 80 Days and Pride and Prejudice.

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Guiding Locke in his performance is actor, producer and director, Nicola Shannon. Based in Langley, Shannon is the founder of Little Dipper Theatre Co. and is an acting instructor at the Bez Arts Hub. Recent directing credits include Nowheresville, BC, Last Train to Nibroc and Mary’s Wedding.

“As theatre story-tellers, we believe storytelling is much more powerful than telling people how they should behave,” she says. “We have imbued the story-teller in A Christmas Carol with Dickens’ fervour and passion for the poor. I hope his story reminds us to keep our hearts open to those in need and not to become desensitized to the beauty of life and to those around us.”

Shannon is supported by a talented team of design artists from around the Fraser Valley. Set and lighting design came from Lora-Lynne Frewing, costume design is by Jenn Mamchur, Josh Osborne is responsible for sound design, and props design was overseen by Charlene Crawford and Dianna Lewis. The production is stage managed by Becki Cormier and production photography comes from Dianna Lewis.

A Christmas Carol runs in-person December 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturday, December 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium. A live-stream option is also available. For tickets and more information, please visit www.gallery7theatre.com.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Gallery 7 Theatre staging ‘A Christmas Carol’ Dec. 9-17

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