With a tradition of bringing back Christmas Carol every season, it is a challenge to be fresh and invigorated each time we put it on stage. One way to inject life into this classic story is to give the scenery a boost every now and then. Last year we introduced a new Fred’s house, a new schoolroom, and a new office for Scrooge. This year it is time to give Bob Cratchit and his family a new set. The Cratchit’s painted drop from last year is part of a beautiful set design created years ago by designer Colleen Balance. That set consisted of lovely drops for every location but as our production has grown and changed over the years, we have introduced new pieces for each location one at a time. The new set for the Cratchit’s will bring that scene fully into the world of the rest of the scenery that I have created and it will now match the other pieces of architectural elements that adorn Fezziwig’s hat shop, Scrooge’s office and bedroom, and Fred’s parlor. Even thought it is new, it still has to reflect the poverty and want that the Cratchit’s live with everyday of the year. With the Cratchits now having six children including Tiny Tim, a few new elements to their home have been added, with piles of clothes, toys, food and household goods. And as the family is happy, warm and full of love, so is their home as they gather round the fire place to share stories and games. Though poor, they are rich in love and I wanted to show that by adding these new elements to the Cratchit’s scenes.
