Rude Mechanicals go back to basics with ‘Carol’ performance

Ellicia Elliott visited Charles Dickens’ home in London a while back.

She learned about the famed author’s habit of holding “salon readings,” in which he and friends would read stories aloud in his front room/living room. And she was inspired.

Now, Elliott’s theater company — she’s artistic director of The Rude Mechanicals — is taking a page from Dickens’ book in more ways than one.

The company is offering a readers theater performance of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Showtime is 7 p.m. Friday at the Uptown Theatre, 1300 Jadwin Ave., Richland. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Christmas music and activities will be offered in the lobby, and treats will be available from Ethos Bakery & Cafe.

“We’ve been wanting to do a performance of A Christmas Carol since we started our theater company,” Elliott said.

“We’re Shakespeare and Shakespeare-inspired, and Shakespeare definitely inspired a lot of Charles Dickens’ writing,” she said. “Plus, it’s a great way to introduce or re-introduce another fantastic author to a modern day audience.”

A readers theater performance is less formal than a full production. Actors read from scripts and the costumes, props and staging generally are less involved.

The Rude Mechanicals’ performance will last about an hour. JB Productions is sponsoring.

The cast includes Erin Dickey, David Goss, Cyndi Kimmel, Corey Jenkins Jr., Geoff Elliott, Michael Speegle and Raleigh Hawthorne.

Elliott said the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the rest is “perfect for the family to experience together.”

Although it was written in the 19th century, “it still has themes extremely relevant to the world we live in today — scarily so — especially during the holiday season,” she said.

Admission is a suggested donation of $10 plus a non-perishable food item for Second Harvest.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Rude Mechanicals go back to basics with ‘Carol’ performance."