Russell Roberts is a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner.”
Well, not really. But he’s in the spotlight playing one this holiday season.
The New Westminster actor makes a star turn in the Gateway Theatre production of A Christmas Carol, appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge in Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. The show, directed by Rachel Peake, is on from Dec. 7 to 24.
The story – which was first published in December of 1844 - begins on a bleak Christmas Eve in London, when we first meet Scrooge and his “bah, humbug” approach to the holidays. But a series of visitations from three spirits, taking the old miser through Christmas past, present and yet to come, changes him for the better – and forever.
“A Christmas Carol has always been one of my favourite stories,” said artistic director Jovanni Sy in a press release. “Call me a sucker for second-chance stories, but I’ve always been drawn to tales of redemption. In life, I can’t think of many things more moving than being given the opportunity to say sorry for past wrongs and take a new path. And I can’t think of many things more loving than forgiving someone and allowing them to make amends. And what better time to tell a timeless story that encourages grace and generosity towards our neighbours?”
Roberts is no stranger to the region’s stages, with a career spanning five decades and more than 200 theatre, film and television productions – and including such roles as George Banks in the TUTS production of Mary Poppins and Luigi Lemoncello in the Nickelodeon movie Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
He’s joined by a cast that includes Allan Morgan, Adam Olgui, Linda Quibell and Teo Saefkow.
A Christmas Carol runs in preview Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., with opening night on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. Shows are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with a final 8 p.m. show on Sunday, Dec. 24. Matinees are on Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 23, and Sundays at 2 p.m., with a 1 p.m. show on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Tickets start at $29. Buy through tickets.gatewaytheatre.com or call 604-270-1812.
The Gateway Theatre is at 6500 Gilbert Rd. in Richmond. See www.gatewaytheatre.com/achristmascarol for more details.
