3rd December 2003

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As rehearsals for the Riverside Theatre’s in-house production of A Christmas Carol continue, Artistic Director, Andrea Montgomery reveals how closely the play resembles Dickens’ original script.

The original scripts of A Christmas Carol, which he adapted for his public readings in England and America, lie in the Dickens Museum in London.

In the pursuit of a perfect performance, Andrea met Lisa Westerhout in London to track down the original manuscripts in the Dickens Museum, dating back to the 19th century, so that they could draw material for the new script of the Riverside Theatre production.

“Dickens had a strong understanding of how theatre works making his writings very adaptable and his characters very real,” said Lisa.

Montgomery and Westerhout have been writing together for several years now. “Sometimes I do most of the writing and sometimes Lisa does,” said Andrea. But both agree: “Keeping in mind Dickens’ talent for telling an exciting story we were able to draw out the ‘best bits’ very easily. Dickens loved theatre. There are so many theatrical characters and scenes set in the theatrical world in his books. He knew instinctively what to cut and what to keep when transferring material to the stage; we just sat back and enjoyed his talent.”

A Christmas Carol will be the first Northern Ireland production for Andrea since she took up the position of Artistic Director at the Riverside, and the first in-house production for the Theatre in well over a decade. It features two casts of children from the Coleraine area and a cast of professional actors from Belfast, the Republic of Ireland and London.

“There are 34 children in this show, including two Tiny Tims,” said Andrea. “But it has been a breeze; last time we worked together there were ponies in the show as well.”

A Christmas Carol at the Riverside Theatre opens Thursday 4th December and runs Friday 5th and Saturday 6th, then Monday to Saturday 8-13th and 15-20th, and Mon 22nd-Tues 23rd December. Monday to Friday shows start at 10am and 12.30pm. On Saturdays and 22nd and 23rd shows start at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk