A Christmas Carol in July
UNE Theatre graduates Chris Curcuruto and Alex Robson are aiming to raise money for a great local cause this month with the staging of Charles Dickens’ much-loved tale, A Christmas Carol.
Chris and Alex’s Felt Tip Theatre Company has this year alone brought to the Armidale stage The Importance of Being Earnest, Under Milk Wood, and a contemporary American play, Bug.
Being the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens – and the middle of winter – the two UNE alumni could think of no more suitable production to stage than A Christmas Carol in July.
Money raised by the production will go towards the Armidale Dumaresq Civic Precinct, a state-of-the-art library/performing arts complex to be built in the Armidale CBD.
The cast will be crowded with familiar UNE faces, including former Head of Theatre Studies, Christopher Ross-Smith as the narrator, UNE staff members Ben Bible and Dr Karin von Storkirch, and Earle Page College resident Andrew Cockroft-Penman, as well as various members of the local arts community.
The event will feature carols performed by Sing Australia, an array of Victorian refreshments (including mulled wine and roasted chestnuts) provided by local restaurateur Phil Oxley, and will be capped off with the well-known story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge discovering the true meaning of Christmas.
Chris, who is directing the play, said: “This is just what people need this time of year. Great food, great entertainment, and a great cause. This is a must-not-be-missed event!”
The event will be held at the Armidale Town Hall on the 20th and 21st of July, with doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost $45, with proceeds going to the Armidale Dumaresq Civic Precinct. Tickets are available at the Armidale War Memorial Library, or online at www.felttiptheatrecompany.com.