Marian Gillard
Observer Contributor
A dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was a festive treat for Quesnel, held on December 13 at Northstar Church, supported by the Quesnel & District Community Arts Council and Quesnel Live Arts and directed by Barbara Hanes along with Gay Cuglietii. The host was CBC Liaison Betsy Trumpener.
The evening of high quality entertainment began with an introduction from Trumpener. She explained that this format of reading from the original A Christmas Carol (written by Charles Dickens in 1857) has been performed in several other communities using local singers and readers.
The singers began by singing ‘Coventry Lullaby’ arranged by Earlene Rentz. Then began the readings each of the six staves of the story, which were read by local talent.
READ MORE: Dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol in Quesnel Dec. 13
The audience was already engrossed as the program went on with a Christmas song by a well-trained group of six, followed by the continuing story of Scrooge and his poor nephew Bob Cratchit.
The balance of passionate, expressive and often humorous reading by such well known Quesnel residents as Jeff Dinsdale, Corey Climenhage, Sharon MacDonald, Colleen Gauthier, Bob Simpson and Don Peake Voute, was well integrated with the inspiring melodies of some of the more traditional songs such as ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’.
The much loved voices of Melanie McKinnon, Anna Allan, Bev Halushak, Wes Allan, Cam Halushak and Kim Kolenchuk blended the melodies and brought delight to the audience. The choir was supported by Kathy Walsh on piano and Janet Penhale on clarinet.
I feel certain the whole audience would sense the sentiment echoing in the words of Tiny Tim. “God bless us, every one.”
heather.norman@quesnelobserver.com
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