Chilliwack Times, December 8, 2016

You won’t need a visit from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future to feel full of holiday spirit this year—DuffleBag Theatre’s children’s production of A Christmas Carol will help you do just that. On Dec. 11 join Scrooge as he learns the real meaning of Christmas with the help of a few phantom friends in this witty and hilarious take on the iconic seasonal story.

Full of surprising plot twists, this second show in the Kids Series has plenty of laughs, and even a little audience participation, it’s a show that’ll keep viewers of all ages enthralled.

A Christmas Carol follows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy businessman, on his journey to find out what Christmas is really all about. When Scrooge is visited by the ghost of an old business partner and taken on an adventure by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, he learns that there’s more to life—and the holiday season—than earning money.
The classic Charles Dickens tale has been told many times but never like this, and DuffleBag Theatre’s interactive performance will let audience members experience the tale of Christmas cheer first hand. This comedic, partially improv take of the story will have the audience on the edge of their seats with laughter, and maybe even participating in the production.
“People can expect the unexpected!” laughs Marcus Lundgren, DuffleBag Theatre’s artistic director. “Our adaption of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will be like no other version because ours stars members of the audience in the main roles. During the performance, a few lucky members will be brought on stage, given a costume, and DuffleBag Theatre will make whatever they do part of the story. The improvisation and hilarious spontaneity of a DuffleBag Theatre performance makes for a truly unique experience.”

DuffleBag Theatre has performed at festivals and schools across Canada since 1992. The theatre troupe got their start at the London International Children’s Festival in London, Ont., and now performs more than 600 shows each year internationally. The group has more than 15 English and French productions in their repertoire, including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood, even some children’s adaptions of Shakespeare plays like Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth, and, of course, a few Christmas stories.

“We are now in our 24th season so we know how to tell a funny story,” Lundgren said.
“For the audience, the shared experience of being part of a DuffleBag Theatre performance is unlike any other. It’s fun for all ages and is something that will no doubt be re-enacted around the dinner table later that night.”

• A Christmas Carol is coming to The Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and are available at the Centre Box Office, online at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).