"Dear Santa: I hope "A Christmas Carol" becomes an annual tradition for Toronto theatregoers at Campbell House Museum."

Three Ships Collective and Soup Can Theatre continue the immersive walking experience of ‘A Christmas Carol’ set within the rooms of the storied Campbell House Museum.

The story begins in the Scrooge and Marley shop on Christmas Eve. The miserly Ebeneezer (Thomas Gough) and his underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit (Justin Hay) are working right up until the closing time at 5:30 PM. Scrooge has a few visitors who wish him well for the holiday, but he dismisses them all. He warns Bob that if he wants Christmas Day off, he must arrive at work early the following morning to make up for it.

When Scrooge arrives home, he fires his housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber (Brianne Tucker), for insubordination. That night, Ebenezer is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley (Spencer Jones), who died seven years ago this very night. Jacob warns Scrooge to change his ways and informs him that three spirits (Eliza Martin and Jonnie Lombard in dual roles) will visit this night to help him change his perspective on the world and those who have been a part of his life.

Visiting the beautiful and historic museum is a delightful experience that sets the tale in motion. In the guise of Marley, Jones guides the audience around the house to the rooms. Claudia Matas has curated a collection of Dickensian attire featuring faithful replicas from the era. This collection includes Scrooge's top hat, vest, pants, shirt, and shoes, and Mrs. Dilber's working-class dark dress, shawl, and hat. The Fezziwig Christmas party showcases Matas’ terrific work in her costuming.

Credit to playwright Justin Haigh for his clever text adaptation. One subtle change enhances this production and makes it hit right at the heart: instead of having Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come stand in front of a headstone, Haigh positions the scene in Ebenezer's bedroom, where a corpse lies beneath a bed sheet. This choice has a rather profound emotional impact. Scrooge's housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber, steals the fine bed linen while a corpse lies on the bed. The emotional weight of the moment is further intensified when Scrooge pulls back the cover and realizes who is underneath the sheet.

However, one line is missing from the text that I wish would be reinstated.

Bob Crachit’s son, Tiny Tim (Ava Marquis), concludes the prayer before Christmas dinner with “God bless us, everyone.” Please restore that line, Justin (and director Sare Thorpe.) It’s an essential Christian reference, especially from the literary context of the time.

Director Sare Thorpe is skillful. Several actors play dual roles and Thorpe elicits authentic, memorable performances. The Fezziwig Christmas Eve party is a delightful experience from listening to the carolling and watching the dancing, beautifully enhanced by Alecia Pagnotta's music direction and Pratik Gandhi's composition.

Luke Marty delivers an impressive performance as Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, and Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge’s first boss. As Fred, Marty exudes compassion, particularly when his uncle unexpectedly arrives at the party near the end of the play. In his portrayal of Fezziwig, Marty showcases a delightful sense of mischief, primarily through his matchmaking efforts to pair Ebenezer with his first love, Belle, sweetly played by Justine Christensen. Thankfully, Christensen rightfully chooses not to present the breakup scene with Scrooge in a too-sentimental, schmaltzy manner.

Justin Hay captures the definite essence of Bob Cratchit, a man who wants the best for everyone. Cratchit strives to be a good father and a loyal employee, always hoping for the well-being of his loved ones. However, Bob is also a human being with emotions and Hay wonderfully reflects this reality in his performance. He experiences exhaustion, sometimes feels defeated, and carries the heavy burden of worry for his ailing son, Tiny Tim. It was heart-wrenching to witness Tiny Tim's absence at the Christmas dinner—a moment that brought a tear to my eye, underscoring (and personally understanding) that this void can never be filled.

A youthful Spencer Jones portrays Jacob Marley. Jones appears ghostly, wearing shackles and appropriately dressed for the character. Initially, I found his casting puzzling and questioned whether he was too young for the role.

No, he’s not.

The youthful-looking Marley is the figure Scrooge likely remembers in his mind. To contrast Jones’ youthful appearance, the ghoulish eye makeup gives an older, sinister look that is not of the world of mere mortals. At one point, Jones momentarily towers over Scrooge by raising his voice to show who’s in control. This is a significant moment in this ghostly tale. Scrooge is at a crossroads regarding his mortality and how he has treated others in the past.

Thomas Gough’s Ebenezer is one mean S.O.B. His discussion about what to do regarding one of his clients and the foreclosure of his house on Christmas Eve is despicable. Even his conversations with the first two spirits do not significantly change his behaviour about his interaction with others.

The final encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come marks Scrooge's breaking point in his bedroom.

Overwhelmed with anxiety about what he sees on the bed, Scrooge lashes out and declares his intention to become a better man. Gough’s performance at the bedside is neither melodramatic nor exaggerated; instead, he remains grounded in the scene, allowing the audience to fully understand and appreciate both the meaning of his words and their implications. The audience listens intently and is touched by what we hear. At least I was.

This ‘Christmas Carol’ staging made me think more than usual this year about what I just witnessed. Seven months ago, my mother died, and it has been a year of personal loss. But it takes a life-altering event for us to take stock of our lives and what lies ahead. Scrooge certainly does that by the end. It’s a fact that we all will continue taking stock at various points in our lives.

This year, my Christmas wish is for Soup Can Theatre and Three Ships Collective to continue producing the show annually at Campbell House.

I understand tickets are sold out for the rest of this year’s run. However, I strongly encourage you to get your name on the waiting list.

Oh, and God bless us, everyone.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Running time: approximately one hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.

The production takes place at the Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen Street West, Toronto. For further information and to get your name on a waiting list (which I hope you will do), visit christmacarolto.com.

THE THREE SHIPS COLLECTIVE with the support of SOUP CAN THEATRE presents:
‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens with adaptation by Justin Haigh

Director/Co-Producer: Sare Thorpe
Playwright/Assistant Director/Co-Producer: Justin Haigh
Composer/Music Director Emeritus: Pratik Gandhi
Music Director/Production Manager/Co-Producer: Alecia Pagnotta
Costumes and Props Designer: Claudia Matas
Stage Manager: Bella Szpala

Performers: Thomas Gough, Chloe Bradt, Justine Christensen, Nicholas Eddie, Justin Hay, Michael Hogan, Spencer Jones, Jonnie Lombard, Ava Marquis, Eliza Martin, Luke Marty, Kiori Mirza Waldman, Annie Lockerbie Newton, Brianne Tucker, Kendelle Parks