As Victorian era
"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling
Thespian," American actor Al LePage, in costume and all
else, will give two dramatic reading performances of A Christmas Carol in the acting
style the famed author himself, who shared his own classic story with
audiences in the nineteenth century. His
one-man "solo" versions are based on Dickens' own
historic script, and he does it -- just like Dickens did -- simply
by using his voice, facial expressions, and animated gestures to create
all 18 characters -- accents and all -- plus sound effects,
too. The first will take place at Woodbridge Methodist Church, as
part of the Sunday Christmas morning church service on Dec. 25 at
10:30AM. As "visiting preacher," LePage will perform a special
30-minute version originally written for young children as a "narrative
sermon" with "devotional singing" of traditional Christmas carols by
the congregation. The second will happen at the Crown Hotel in Framlingham,
sponsored and hosted by the hotel, it is being freely offered as a gift
without charge by both the hotel and LePage to the people of
Framlingham, those visiting the area, and hotel guests on Dec. 26 at
3PM, and also includes tea and treats afterward at 4PM. Both
events are open to all by simply arriving on the day of any event, and
as there is no admission charge, and though an opportunity during the
church service to donate to Action
for Children will be offered, neither reservations nor tickets
are needed. Woodbridge
Methodist Church is located on St John's Street in Woodbridge
and the Crown Hotel, located
on Market Hill in Framlingham, can be reached by following the signs to
the town centre. LePage originally hails from Framingham,
Massachusetts USA, the town being named after Framlingham in Suffolk
UK, wanted to freely offer his talents as a gift to the people there
while on holiday in Great Britain.
Photo
Credit: David Krapes
“Start
the Time Machine,” begins actor Al LePage, “we're going for a ride!
Where? Right where you are, of course, in Great Britian, but the
year, well it's 1887, the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria,
of course! You see, we're heading back to the 'Victorian
age.' Why? To set the stage, so to speak, with just a
sprinkle of history to begin everything. And who? Why an
'Englishman,' of course, who else would be telling the story of
Dickens' Christmas Carol?
The really interesting question, though, is . . . how? The
answer, just like Dickens did! I not only use his acting style,
but also a script I developed by editing the public reading version he
himself performed."
From
Scrooge to Tiny
Tim, from Marley's Ghost to Mrs. Cratchit, there's howls and growls,
bangs and bongs, a dance with a song, lively laughter and
heartfelt
tears. LePage's love of improvisation combined with a highly
interactive style means that he may not only engage both kids and
adults in
conversation, but also may actually encourage some audience members to
join him at
some
point! In fact, watch out! Since he's playful, likes to
experiment and believes in seizing the moment, even he doesn't always
know what's going to happen next. And, before each reading, he's
definitely got what could aptly be called “his stories” to
share with the audience. This not only makes each
performance unique, but also keeps them fresh and exciting, spontaneous
and full of surprises, too!
LePage's motivation – and vision – for his dramatic readings of
Dickens' great story can best be summed up in two words from a scene
near the end of the Carol
itself, “won-der-ful happiness!” He believes bringing history to
life by portraying someone from the past is a very powerful and
intimate way to engage people, and connect them with the history of
where they live. Great stories can make people more aware of the
reality around them, connecting them with other people and within
themselves, both for greater understanding and compassion. Live drama
can bring these great stories alive in a way that provides both
entertainment and insight. So, his performances not only give him
an opportunity to use his talents but also give to others.
“Sure I'm performing,” says LePage, “but it's
really much more than just that for me. I want to be
entertaining and tell a good story, of course, but I'm really
preaching, too, you see. There's such a rich story here with lots
of great messages – like generosity, the idea one can change, gratitude
– messages of love and joy and . . . hope. And aren't these the
kind of things that bring real happiness? So, it's like being
able to give one of the best sermons I've ever heard in my life, over
and over again! I'm on fire! It feels so meaningful.
If people are entertained, that's great, if they're inspired to greater
happiness within themselves and for others, then that's even
better. The Sunday Christmas day service allows me to share the
story, for the very first time with an actual congregation, and with
everyone and anyone who might just want to drop by and visit this
holiday season, either at the church in Woodbridge or the hotel in
Framlingham, too!”
LePage has appeared before thousands during the eight years he
portrayed “people from the past” at National
Park Service events, for Parks
Canada and at other venues, too. He's also been seen on the
nationally televised PBS TV History
Detectives series in America as everything from a bartender to
Robert E. Lee, and written and produced his own one-man historical
dramas. Star of Oregon Public
Broadcasting's one-man radio show A Christmas Carol with Al LePage,
every one of his Carol performances
has been donated to benefit US and Canadian charities since 2006.
This year he does so for the first time in England, to weave a little
history in each of his shows about the work of the well-known U.K.
charity Action for Children,
and thereby hoping to encourage people to donate to it. While on
holiday in England this year, besides his "sermon" in Woodbridge and
"gift" in Framlingham, LePage also gives his very first public
performance of the Carol on
22 Dec. in the same city, the same time of year, and for the same
charity as Dickens first did, the famed author having performed
of the Carol for the public
in Birmingham on December 27, 1853 to also benefit the Birmingham
& Midland
Institute. (Poster created to advertise Framlingham
event, image to right)
#####
Woodbridge
Methodist Church's (WMC)
mission is to serve Christ by meeting the needs, both spiritual and
physical, of the local community and wider world. Having a strong
family-friendly orientation with a Junior Church, its adult worship
seeks to encompass both traditional and
contemporary styles. Christian living and worship in which faith
is
deepened, and where there are new exciting opportunities for
experiencing a church life is the driving force at the heart of their
congregation. WMC welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, and is
part of the Ipswich Circuit of the East Anglian District of the
Methodist Church. Visit WMCLight.org.uk to learn
more.
The
Crown Hotel in Framlingham, re-establishing the warmth and welcome of
the traditional coaching inn, is a former sixteenth century inn built
in 1553. It has been
sympathetically restored to retain
this heritage and offers 14 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant and a
bar. Each bedroom is unique, tastefully and individually
decorated with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi internet. It is open
for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and open to
everyone. The front of the hotel overlooks the historic market
square with views that stretch across the town and is well positioned
to explore local attractions, and explore the surrounding the Suffolk
countryside and Heritage Coast. Visit FramlinghamCrown.co.uk to reserve
a room, learn about events, other services and facilities and other
information.
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NOTE TO
MEDIA:
Embedded images and poster
are high
resolution and offered for free use by the print and digital media and
our hosts for
stories related to these performances and may be cropped,
color-balanced and adjusted as needed. Please credit the photographer for
images: “David Krapes” Thank you.
CAPTION
SUGGESTION for IMAGES without captions:
"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson," portrayed by Al LePage is sure to bring
lots of laughter, and hopefully some tears, during his upcoming
dramatic reading performances of his abridged version of Dickens
classic A Christmas Carol!
Great Stories Alive !