Greatest Ghost Story Ever Told

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of the most popular works in all of English literature. Called “a national treasure, “ and the embodiment of “the joyful mystery of Christmas", the seasonal favourite of the stage is coming to Singapore this Christmas staged by TNT Britain.  

The popular story, which has taken many forms over the years from stage to movie to television, celebrates the essence of Christmas through a visitation of four spirits to a miserly character called Scrooge, who through the course of the story finds his redemption and compassion for his fellow human beings.

Fifo talks to Paul Stebbings, artistic director of TNT Britain, about bringing to life one of the most popular Christmas stories ever.

1. What exactly is the universal appeal and timeless quality of Dickens' story, which still makes it so popular today? 

This is surely the greatest Ghost story ever written - one thatuses the Ghostsnot to frighten us but to allow us to understand ourselves and the meaning of "goodness" - it's an incredible work that combines humour and anger at poverty and mean spiritedness with a cracking storyline that examines past present and future through three extraordinary ghosts.

It is maybe the greatest story of a man who turns from evil to good - how could we not be swept away by it? 

2. Tell us how you would be directing A Christmas Carol, would we be expecting it in the same characteristic "powerful choreography, simple performance style" that TNT does for its presentation of Shakespearean plays? 

Yes this is a TNT production - it combines live music and comedy with tragedy - we have had wonderful audiences in Singapore over the last few years - we hope they come again and bring their kids and grandmas too!

The production seeks to combine all the elements of live performance in one - drama, music and choreographic movement with powerful visual imagery.  

3. Staging ghosts and spirits in the real world, on the stage, is always a challenge. How would you be doing this?
 

The Ghosts take Scrooge on three journeys into his past present and future  - so in these worls the whole stage  is ghostly not just the Ghosts -  so its the play that is supernatural not just the spirits - then Scrooge lands back on earth with a bump - the earth he left as a miserable miser he returns to as a warm and giving human.  

4. Finally, tell us what a perfect Christmas is for you.
 
Around a log fire in the Cotswolds in England with my family - pulling crackers then wandering down to the village pub to watch the Morris Dancers on the green - I do it every Christmas! Merry Christmas to one and all in sunny Singapore!

TNT's A Christmas Carol is on at Jubilee Hall from Nov 16 to 18. Tickets from Sistic.