Is it to early to talk about Christmas Day? Not at all, as there
are just 19 days left.
Most Chinese people have gotten used to the chance to buy things
on sale in big shopping malls as Christmas has become a big
commercial focus in the country, have you really thought about the
original meaning of Christmas?
As one of literature's most accomplished writers from the
Victorian period, what would Charles Dickens think of seeing his
novel "A Christmas Carol" staged in China in English 163 years
after he wrote it?
From December 1 to 24, about 41 non-professional actors from
around the world are presenting the play "A Christmas Carol," at
Beijing Playhouse. A Christmas Carol is a traditional holiday
favorite in the West and a classic story of Tiny Tim and the
spirits of Christmas past, present and future teaching a grouchy
old man the true meaning of the holiday.
The Scottish-style costumes, set decor, songs and characters
bring audiences back to a time more than 160 years in the past.
"The show is great. I've seen many adaptations of A Christmas
Carol on TV and in films, but this was my first time watching a
live presentation. The show gets the key points of A Christmas
Carol. With Christmas approaching, I believe more people will come
to watch the show," said Jim McRae, who came to Beijing Playhouse
with his two children and wife.
"Yes, I totally agree with that. I was almost in tears at the
end," said Mrs. McRae.
Far more than teaching the true meaning of Christmas, the show
also expresses Dickens' message of human compassion, which is both
timeless and universal.
Summary on "A Christmas Carol":
A mean-spirited, miserly old man named Ebenezer Scrooge sits in his
counting-house on a frigid Christmas Eve. His clerk, Bob Cratchit,
shivers in the anteroom because Scrooge refuses to spend money on
heating coals for a fire. Scrooge's nephew, Fred, pays his uncle a
visit and invites him to his annual Christmas party. Two portly
gentlemen also drop by and ask Scrooge for a contribution to their
charity. Scrooge reacts to the holiday visitors with bitterness and
venom, spitting out an angry "Bah! Humbug!" in response to his
nephew's "Merry Christmas!"
Later that evening, after returning to his dark, cold apartment,
Scrooge receives a chilling visitation from the ghost of his dead
partner, Jacob Marley. Marley, looking haggard and pallid, relates
his unfortunate story. As punishment for his greedy and
self-serving life his spirit has been condemned to wander the Earth
weighted down with heavy chains. Marley hopes to save Scrooge from
sharing the same fate. Marley informs Scrooge that three spirits
will visit him during each of the next three nights. After the
wraith disappears, Scrooge collapses into a deep sleep.
He wakes moments before the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas
Past, a strange childlike phantom with a brightly glowing head. The
spirit escorts Scrooge on a journey into the past to previous
Christmases from the curmudgeon's earlier years. Invisible to those
he watches, Scrooge revisits his childhood school days, his
apprenticeship with a jolly merchant named Fezziwig, and his
engagement to Belle, a woman who leaves Scrooge because his lust
for money eclipses his ability to love another. Scrooge, deeply
moved, sheds tears of regret before the phantom returns him to his
bed.
The Ghost of Christmas Present, a majestic giant clad in a green
fur robe, takes Scrooge through London to unveil Christmas as it
will happen that year. Scrooge watches the large, bustling Cratchit
family prepare a miniature feast in its meager home. He discovers
Bob Cratchit's crippled son, Tiny Tim, a courageous boy whose
kindness and humility warms Scrooge's heart. The specter then zips
Scrooge to his nephew's to witness the Christmas party. Scrooge
finds the jovial gathering delightful and pleads with the spirit to
stay until the very end of the festivities. As the day passes, the
spirit ages, becoming noticeably older. Toward the end of the day,
he shows Scrooge two starved children, Ignorance and Want, living
under his coat. He vanishes instantly as Scrooge notices a dark,
hooded figure coming toward him.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come leads Scrooge through a
sequence of mysterious scenes relating to an unnamed man's recent
death. Scrooge sees businessmen discussing the dead man's riches,
some vagabonds trading his personal effects for cash, and a poor
couple expressing relief at the death of their unforgiving
creditor. Scrooge, anxious to learn the lesson of his latest
visitor, begs to know the name of the dead man. After pleading with
the ghost, Scrooge finds himself in a churchyard, the spirit
pointing to a grave. Scrooge looks at the headstone and is shocked
to read his own name. He desperately implores the spirit to alter
his fate, promising to renounce his insensitive, avaricious ways
and to honor Christmas with all his heart. Whoosh! He suddenly
finds himself safely tucked in his bed.
Overwhelmed with joy by the chance to redeem himself and
grateful that he has been returned to Christmas Day, Scrooge rushes
out onto the street hoping to share his newfound Christmas spirit.
He sends a giant Christmas turkey to the Cratchit house and attends
Fred's party, to the stifled surprise of the other guests. As the
years go by, he holds true to his promise and honors Christmas with
all his heart: he treats Tiny Tim as if he were his own child,
provides lavish gifts for the poor, and treats his fellow human
beings with kindness, generosity, and warmth.
(CRI.com December 6, 2006)