An Afternoon of Dickens

• Sun Dec 18, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a unique twist on a holiday favourite with your family!  Ontario actor and Town Crier Andrew Welch presents a fabulous dramatic reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, on Sunday December 18th, 1:30pm. His celebrated performance of this timeless classic is 1½ hours of suspense, Christmas magic, extraordinary characters, and captivating energy!

Andrew has an extensive performance resume, spanning 30 years TV, radio, film and stage appearances. He specializes in readings and voice work, and has performed this Christmas favourite for enraptured audiences across Ontario, as well as special appearances in the U.S. The characters come alive and the story is wonderfully captivating for young and old listeners. He says his approach to the piece is true to the roots of the original – in fact, Charles Dickens himself toured readings of his work for many years after it was first published.

“It is first and foremost a ghost story”, says the actor, “and the Victorians were masters at that genre. Remember, these were the times of Edgar Allen Poe and Bram Stoker. It is important to capture that edge to contrast it with the wonder that is the magic of Christmas itself.”

Andrew is best known as the Official Town Crier for both Caledon and Erin, and also locally for his hugely successful Earth Day Payback project – a dramatic reading from Margaret Atwood’s book “Payback”, which he created in 2009. He has performed this adaptation of the ‘Christmas Carol for Earth Day’ in different venues around Ontario with such acclaimed actors as James B. Douglas, Janet Laine-Green, and David Nairn, along with CBC personalities Paul Kennedy and Dave Seglins.

Audiences absolutely love Andrew's rendition of this classic tale:

"As an actor myself, I can appreciate a good dramatic performance as much as anyone, but I couldn't fathom how one man's reading of A Christmas Carol, a story we've all heard a thousand times, could entertain an audience for hours on end.  But the performance Andrew delivered on that cold December night was truly unlike any dramatic display I'd ever seen.  The passion, the emotion, the rhythm, the delivery, everything was flawless. He engaged me immediately, and didn't lose my attention at any point throughout.  The accents, the enunciation, every subtle vocal nuance, was executed to perfection."  -  K. Klassen, Erin

Tickets are available in advance online and at Gallery Gemma (located in the Alton Mill) or at the door the afternoon of the performace. Adults/seniors $15 ($11 advance), youth $10 ($7 advance).