Scrooge comes to Wales in the form of the legendary performer Ron Moody this autumn as Wales Theatre Company prepare to take their new production of Dickens’ best loved tale A Christmas Carol on the road.Known for creating the definitive Fagin in Oliver! for the 1960 West End stage production, then re-creating the role for the acclaimed film version some years later, Ron Moody is one of Britain’s best loved performers. A multi talented ‘man of the theatre’, his programme notes introduce him as ‘an author, composer and actor, a star of films, stage and television, a musician, dancer and impressionist…and an enthusiastic amateur archaeologist’. Having made a name for himself as Fagin, this autumn he will perform the role of Dickens’s other great villain – Ebenezer Scrooge, in a new adaptation with music of ‘A Christmas Carol’ adapted for the stage jointly by Ron Moody and Wales Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Bogdanov. Commenting on the project, Moody explained “it is perhaps surprising that even though most people know me for playing Fagin in Oliver! that it has taken until now for me to be tempted by another of Dickens’s great rogues. I eagerly look forward to getting into old Scrooge’s skin and to presenting a fresh production of this timeless classic for the stage with Wales Theatre Company.” Michael Bogdanov who adapted Dickens’ novel for stage alongside Ron Moody and who will direct the production added “ I wanted to take away the saccharin and add the bitter sweet that is so prevalent in Dickens’s work. I’m pleased with the outcome – I think we’ve captured all of his mastery as a writer and added some extra musical magic of our own.” Moody leads a multitalented cast of Welsh performers including Richard Nicholls, John Labanowski, Nickie Rainsford, Kathryn Dimery and Ieuan Rhys. In addition to Dicken’s dialogue and new staging by Michael Bogdanov which aims to bring Dickens’s vivid descriptions of society to life, this new production includes new music by Terry Mortimer based on Victorian music hall and parlor songs. This is Dickens’ best loved tale brought vividly to life – sure to send audiences of all ages singing down the street! A Christmas Carol opens on 31 October at The Grand Theatre, Swansea before continuing on a tour of Wales to The New Theatre, Cardiff on 7 November then on to The Torch in Milford Haven, Theatre Hafren in Newtown, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, Venue Cymru, Llandudno and the Parc and Dare Theatre in Aberdare. |
| wales theatre company web site: |
| angharad wynne e-mail: Angharad@angharadwynne.com |
Friday, September 29, 2006 |
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