EXTRA! EXTRA!
DICKENS IS THE FIRST AUTHOR TO READ HIS OWN WORK!
Welcome to Valley Shakespeare Festival's One-Man A Christmas Carol. This adaptation takes the long tradition of Charles Dickens doing public readings/performances of his work! Something unheard of at the time...
1843 - Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 6 weeks and self-published it. It hits the shelves on December 17th and sells out in 3 DAYS! A Christmas Carol has never been out of print since then.
1853 - Charles Dickens gave his first reading to 2,000 people in the town hall of Birmingham, England. No Author had ever attempted this before.
December 3rd, 1867 - Dickens gives his first public reading in America at the Tremont Temple in Boston!
Travel Tip: If you visit the Parker House Hotel in Boston, where Dickens stayed, they have the mirror in which Dickens practiced his reading!
1867 - Dickens also gives a reading at the New York Public Library (NYPL)! A 22-year-old Mark Twain attends and does not give a favorable review: "There is no heart, no feeling--it is nothing but glittering frostwork." - talk about Bah Humbug!
Dickens did not just "read" his works; he performed them! Dickens was very much an actor and briefly worked in the theater.
Travel Tip: At the NYPL, there is a copy of the special manuscript he used for these public readings. It includes his notations, which remind him where to modulate his voice and rearrange dialogue parts.
March 15, 1870 - Charles Dickens gives his final reading and appearance at the St. James Hall in Picadilly, England. His son records his last words:
"...from these garish lights I vanish now for evermore, with one heartfelt, grateful, respectful, and affectionate farewell."
THE IMPACT
Audiences worldwide were moved by Charles Dickens's public readings of A Christmas Carol.
He read this work approximately 150 times in his life!
On Christmas Eve 1867, a factory owner named Fairbanks was so affected by the reading that he decided to:
"...break the custom we have hitherto observed of opening the works on Christmas Day"
Not only did he close the factory for Christmas day, but he gave a turkey to each of his employees. It should be noted that children still went to school on Christmas Day at this time...
WHAT DICKENS ATE ON PERFORMANCE DAYS
When Dickens read A Christmas Carol the performance would last about 4 hours!
Rest assured, today’s performance is only 55 minutes with no intermission.
Below is what Charles Dickens ate throughout the day and performance to keep his energy up.
Insider Tip: Don't forget to ask Tom in the Q&A that follows, if he follows this regimine before his performance
BREAKFAST
2 tablespoons of rum mixed with cream
TEA TIME
1 pint Champange
30 MIN. BEFORE
PERFORMANCE
Sherry with raw eggbeaten into it
INTERMISSION
Sip beef tea...
AFTER PERFORMANCE
A bowl of soup
PROBLEMS OF VICTORIAN LONDON
(1837-1901)
Did you know? Charles Dickens initially envisioned A Christmas Carol as a pamphlet titled "An Appeal to the People of England on Behalf of the Poor Man's Child". Within a week, he decided to convey his message through a story instead, creating the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge.
Through Scrooge and other memorable characters, Dickens crafted a social commentary on harsh working conditions, corporate greed, failing healthcare, and the perils of theocracy. Written in 1843—or is it still relevant in 2024? You decide.
Victorian Era
Named for Queen Victoria's reign from 1837-1901.
Population
Expansion
London's population expanded from 1 million people to 4.5 million people between 1800 and 1880. Problems increased because the city could not keep up!
CRIME!
Rampant! The newly formed police force believed that some 20,000 children were being trained in thieving in the 1860s.
Housing
Entire families were crammed into one-room apartments. 1/3 of London's population lived in these conditions.
Water
Polluted! Many citizens drank water from the same part of the Thames were sewage was dumped.
Drainage
Inadequate! Increased the spread of diseases.
Work Conditions
Employees were overworked and underpaid, and often worked in unsafe environments.
Child Labor
For families to survive, every member of the family had to work. Children as young as 6 years old worked up to 19 hours per day, with very little or no pay, and minimal breaks.
Equipment was dangerous! Many children ended up with injuries or dead. In 1833, things somewhat improved with the Factory Act which would regulate the number of hours and age at which a child could work.
For families to survive, every member of the family had to work. Children as young as 6 years old worked up to 19 hours per day, with very little or no pay, and minimal breaks. Equipment was dangerous! Many children ended up with injuries or dead. In 1833, things somewhat improved with the Factory Act which would regulate the number of hours and age at which a child could work.
Workhouses
Institutions that provided employment for the poor. They were established in 1601, and while successful through much of the 17th century, they became a place where society not only put the poor, but also the infirm, criminal and insane by the late 19th century!
Conditions were harsh and degrading to discourage the poor from relying on parishes that provided these houses. Commonly residents of workhouses would experience the following:
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All possessions had to be abandoned to be eligible to work in the Workhouse
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Children were separated from parents
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Food had no nutritional value
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Those who died in the Workhouse, last rites were shabby and brief.
Ragged Schools
Educational facilities set up by charities (often religiously affiliated) to provide education, food, clothing and lodging for poor children.
The schools received no government support, however, and were in poor condition. Only one in three children was provided an education in Dickens' lifetime.
Charles believed that every child should have an education and opposed the heavy religious doctrine that these schools taught. He found that these techniques did not help the poor further their education or better themselves.
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
Synopsis
Introduction
“A Christmas Carol” is a classic holiday story about redemption [being saved from evil], kindness, and the spirit of Christmas. It follows the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy, selfish old man, as he learns to change his ways and embrace the joy of helping others.
Ebenezer Scrooge: A Miserly [Cheap] Man
The story begins on a cold, foggy Christmas Eve in London. Ebenezer Scrooge is a rich but bitter man who despises [hates] Christmas and refuses to spend money on anyone, even himself. He runs a small business and treats his overworked and underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit, with cruelty. Scrooge’s hatred for Christmas is so strong that when his cheerful nephew, Fred, invites him to a family Christmas dinner, Scrooge angrily refuses, saying, "Bah! Humbug!"
Scrooge also turns away two kind men who ask him to donate money to help the poor during the holiday season. He believes the poor should take care of themselves or go to workhouses, showing no sympathy for their struggles.
Marley’s Ghost
That night, Scrooge goes home to his cold, dark house. As he prepares for bed, he is startled when the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, appears. Marley died seven years ago, and he now wanders the earth as a tormented [suffering] spirit, dragging heavy chains made of money boxes and ledgers [business-related books concerning finances].
Marley warns Scrooge that his greed and selfishness will lead to the same miserable fate. However, Scrooge still has a chance to change. Marley tells him that three spirits will visit him that night to teach him important lessons. Though frightened, Scrooge dismisses the encounter as a bad dream and goes to bed.
The Ghost of Christmas Past
Scrooge is awakened by the first spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Past. This figure is strange and otherworldly, glowing with light. The ghost takes Scrooge on a journey through his own past.
They visit Scrooge’s childhood, where he was a lonely boy neglected by his family. Despite this, young Scrooge found joy in books and imagination. The ghost also shows Scrooge happier times, such as when he worked as an apprentice for a kind man named Mr. Fezziwig. Fezziwig treated his employees with generosity and held lively Christmas parties that brought people together.
Scrooge also sees the moment when he lost his fiancée, Belle. She ended their engagement because Scrooge had become too focused on money, leaving no room for love in his heart. These memories make Scrooge regret how his choices led him to a life of loneliness.
The Ghost of Christmas Present
Next, the Ghost of Christmas Present arrives. This spirit is a giant, jolly figure surrounded by food, warmth, and light. It shows Scrooge how people are celebrating Christmas in the present, despite their struggles.
First, they visit Bob Cratchit’s humble home. Despite their poverty, the Cratchit family is filled with love and joy. Scrooge is especially moved by Tiny Tim, Bob’s youngest son, who is sick and frail but full of hope and kindness. The ghost warns Scrooge that if things don’t change, Tiny Tim may not survive another Christmas.
The ghost also takes Scrooge to see his nephew Fred, who is laughing and enjoying Christmas with friends, even though Scrooge refused to join them. Scrooge realizes how much warmth and happiness he has missed out on because of his cold-hearted nature.
Finally, the ghost reveals two wretched [miserable] children hiding beneath his robe, named Ignorance and Want. They symbolize the dangers of neglecting the poor and vulnerable in society. The sight of them leaves Scrooge shaken [very upset].
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
The last spirit to visit is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, a silent, shadowy figure that fills Scrooge with dread [great fear]. This ghost shows Scrooge a bleak [empty] and grim [very sad] future.
Scrooge sees people talking casually about a man’s death, showing no sadness or respect. He soon realizes that this unloved man is himself. The ghost shows Scrooge his own neglected grave, and Scrooge is horrified to see how his life of selfishness has left him forgotten and despised [hated].
He also sees the Cratchit family mourning Tiny Tim’s death, as they couldn’t afford the care he needed. These visions deeply frighten Scrooge and make him desperate to change his fate. He begs the ghost for a chance to make things right, promising to become a better person.
A Changed Man
Scrooge wakes up in his own bed on Christmas morning, overjoyed to find that it’s not too late. He laughs and dances with excitement, feeling lighter and happier than ever before.
Scrooge immediately begins spreading kindness and generosity. He sends a giant turkey to the Cratchit family and gives Bob a raise so they can live more comfortably. He donates generously to the poor and surprises Fred by joining his Christmas celebration.
Over time, Scrooge becomes known as a good and caring man. He becomes like a second father to Tiny Tim, who survives and thrives thanks to Scrooge’s help.
Conclusion
“A Christmas Carol” ends with Scrooge fully redeemed, living a life filled with love and generosity. The story reminds readers of the importance of kindness, compassion, and the true spirit of Christmas. Through Scrooge’s transformation, we see that it’s never too late to change and make a positive impact on the world.
SPOILERS!
WHO'S WHO
* Denotes a member of Actor's Equity Association
Tom Simonetti*
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(Performer, Adapter, Executive Director/Founder of Valley Shakespeare Festival) Tom is always delighted to bring the world of Charles Dickens to life, especially at Christmastime. Mr. Simonetti is a Shelton native who comes from a family with a lot of history of community involvement in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Tom splits his time between NY and CT and works as an actor/dramaturg for such companies as Signature Theater, Looking Glass Theater Co., and Classic Stage Company and also as a licensed NYC Tour Guide (ask him for details)! When in CT, Professor S works as a n Adjunct Professor at CCSU in their Theatre Department. Favorite roles include: Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Man of La Mancha (Cervantes/Don Quixote), Brigadoon (Harry Beaton), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), Travesties, A Diamond as Big as the Ritz, Elf-the Musical, and Noel Cowards Semi-Monde. Tom is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association!
Clair Babecki
(The Musician- Viola) Clair Babecki is an experienced music educator working within Connecticut for the past eight years and received both a Bachelor’s in 2015 and Master’s Degree in 2021 for Instrumental Music Education and Pedagogy from The Hartt School at University of Hartford. As a violist that started within the public school system, she was inspired from a young age to emulate the educators that consistently fostered her passion for music. Within the professional community, Clair has held positions within the Connecticut Music Educators Association as Southern Region Director and Middle School Orchestra Chair and continues to seek more leadership opportunities beyond the classroom to enhance her skills as an educator.
Kristen L. Kingsley*
(Production Stage Manager) Kristen L. Kingsley is thrilled to be back with the legendary Tom Simonetti, for VSF’s annual reading of A Christmas Carol, it's tradition after all! Ms. Kingsley is a CT based stage manager, select credits as PSM include: Jimmy & Lorraine: A Musing, Possessing Harriet Hartbeat Ensemble, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, A Staged reading of A Christmas Carol, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Winter's Tale, The Adventures of Pericles, Henry VIII, The Merchant of Venice with Valley Shakespeare Festival. Kristen is a member of Actor's Equity Association. “To our community, Thank you for joining us this year, whether for the first or 12th time, thank you for your love and continued support for Tom and this wonderful company. Wishing you all a healthy and Joy-filled holiday season!”- Kristen
Christie Maturo
(Director) Christie is an Associate Professor of Performance and Chair of Theatre at Central CT State. She has worked across the country as an actor and director. Some of her favorite roles have included Tina in Tony n' TIna’s Wedding and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. In addition to her university studies, she has trained at the Moscow Art Theatre; Second City, Chicago; and with the National Michael Chekhov Assoc. Christie is a member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA.
Charles Dickens
(Writer) was an English writer and social critic. During his lifetime, his works enjoyed unprecedented popularity. He is now considered a literary genius because he created some of the world's best-known fictional characters (Ebenezer Scrooge, Fagin, Oliver Twist, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, Nicholas Nickleby) and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity. Favorites include Dombey and Sons, Bleakhouse, the semi-autobiographical Little Dorritt, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, and A Tale of Two Cities.
Actor's Equity Association
(Actor's Equity Association or "Equity") founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks
Valley Shakespeare Festival
(Producers) Valley Shakespeare Festival is in its 12th Year! Started in 2013 by Shelton Native Tom Simonetti, it has presented free performances every year in Shelton's Veterans Memorial Park: The Comedy of Errors (2013), Much Ado About Nothing (2014), A Midsummer Night's Dream (2015), The Taming of the Shrew (2016), Twelfth Night (2017), Thornton Wilder's Our Town (2018), Henry VIII (2019), Edmund Rostand's Cyrano (2020), Pericles (2021), The Winter's Tale (2022), Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (2023) and most recently, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). In addition to these annual productions, VSF offers several more programs, including Shakespeare in the Bar and our VSF2U touring program to schools, senior centers and other community centers.
Valley Shakespeare Festival's mission is to present theater that engages and educates its audiences members of the Lower-Naugatuck Valley, creating a socially responsible community through classic works.
Find more about us at www.vsfestival.org or by following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
THANK YOU!
Thank you to Mike Picone and the Staff of Twisted Vine
Thank you to Rev. Patricia Leonard-Pasley and the Staff and Congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church in Seymour, CT
Thank you to the staff at Shelton Community Center
A Huge Thank You to our outgoing Chair, Erin Bennedum - who has led Valley Shakespeare Festival's Board of Directors for the past Four Years!
And for Valley Community Foundation and Newtown Savings Bank.
And to all of our GENEROUS DONORS TO THE 2024 SEASON!
