Scrooge reimagined in a one-man
virtual play you won't want to miss

Blazing Reader,

One of my favourite Canadian actors (who just so happens to live around the block from me) is Rod Beattie. He's most famous for the Wingfield Farm series of one-man plays he stars in.

I've seen the second instalment on DVD and watched Beattie perform three other episodes live on stage.

Last Christmas, my son and I also attended his one-man performance of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

This year, however, Beattie will be performing the Christmas classic online via Zoom to raise money for The Kiwanis Festival for the Performing Arts — a charitable, volunteer-run organization. It's a pay-as-you-wish event.

If you're like me, you'll be in awe at Beattie's ability to instantly switch from one character to the next. At times, I'd swear there were multiple actors on stage.

Beattie also presents a unique portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge. Rather than a greedy, miserable old man, Scrooge comes across as more of a lonely recluse who has focused his entire life on working hard — not so much for the money, but for the sense of accomplishment and independence it brings.

The live performance will broadcast virtually tomorrow (Christmas Eve!) at 6 pm EST via Zoom.

You can sign up on the Kiwanis Festival's website.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

John C.A. Manley

John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.