No one who knows John Taylor would describe him as greedy, ornery or thankless.
But the long-time Flin Flonner could have fooled audiences as the lead in Ham Sandwich’s weekend production of A Christmas Carol.
“It’s a role that I had always wanted to play,” says Taylor, who made for a memorable Ebeneezer Scrooge. “He’s obviously a very interesting character and the story of what happens to him is also very, very interesting.”
White-bearded with an expressive face, Taylor says his nearly 20 years of experience with Ham Sandwich, the renowned local theatre troupe, helped prepare him to don Scrooge’s stovepipe hat.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a role quite as powerful as that,” says Taylor, a 65-year-old Hudbay retiree and part-time school bus driver.
Taylor displayed an impressive range, transforming Scrooge from contemptible to benevolent following the famous visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
Somewhat surprisingly, last Friday and Saturday’s performances at the R.H. Channing Auditorium marked Ham Sandwich’s first crack at Dickens’ holiday classic.
One of Ham Sandwich’s most polished and diverse casts yet breathed believability and energy into the 170-year-old tale.
Alexus Yaremkiw, 11, did not have the largest role, but it was certainly one of the most iconic.
She earned rave reviews for her turn as Tiny Tim, the ailing little boy with one crutch and a heart of gold.
Asked about her favourite part of the performance, Alexus didn’t have to think twice.
“When I got to say ‘God bless us, everyone’ and we sang We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” she says.
Wearing a crumpled Gatsby hat and a purple jacket, Alexus’ costume, like others in the play, highlighted A Christmas Carol as a period piece.
Haunting lighting and premium props – including a small graveyard that let Scrooge view his own tombstone – further elevated the production.
For his part, Taylor believes A Christmas Carol, penned in 1843, has withstood many decades for one reason: “It’s timeless.”
“I think it’s a lesson for all times,” he says. “It’s about a human being, but all human beings. I think we can all look around us and see people (whose) approach to Christmas is ‘bah, humbug!’ But it’s more than just Christmas – it’s their approach to life.
“It’s kind of a morality tale, but an enjoyable one as opposed to one of those morality tales that’s kind of in-your-face.”
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Taylor himself is more “bah, humble” than “bah, humbug,” pointing out that although he had the lead role, every performer was important.
“It’s not a one-man show by any means,” he says.
The cast of Ham Sandwich’s production of A Christmas Carol, directed by Beth Heine, consisted of:
Ebeneezer Scrooge - John Taylor
Bob Cratchit - Alain Lachapelle
Narrator - Linda Allen
Fred - Tristan Barteski
1st Missionary - Leslie Fernandes
2nd Missionary - Cheryl Feszczyn
3rd Missionary - Gabrielle Taylor
Tiny Tim - Alexus Yaremkiw
Theodore - Jeremy Tait
Chorus Leader - Anna Jardine
Jacob Marley - John Nicol
Christmas Past - Diane Therien
Fan - Phoenix Hanson
Little Scrooge - Grady Bedford
Fezziwig - Thomas Heine
Mrs. Fezziwig - Gabrielle Taylor
Belle - Landice Yestrau
Young Scrooge - Jeremy Tait
Richard - Tristan Barteski
Belle’s Daughter - Olivia Fernandes
Belle’s Husband - Alain Lachapelle
Christmas Present - Mark McDonald
Mrs. Cratchit - Leslie Fernandes
Peter Cratchit - Grady Bedford
Belinda Cratchit - Pearl Tippett
Martha Cratchit - Aline Nasselquist
Topper - Thomas Heine
Ignorance - Alexus Yaremkiw
Want - Olivia Fernandes
Christmas Yet-to-Come - Linda Allen
Charwoman - Landice Yestrau
Laundress - Anna Jardine
Undertaker’s Woman - Diane Therien
Joe - John Nicol
Caroline - Pearl Tippett
Boy - Olivia Fernandes
John Taylor as Scrooge (left) and Alexus Yaremkiw as Tiny Tim (right). Behind Alexus is Leslie Fernandes.
The lovely voices of Jude McCombie (from left), Landice Yestrau and Anna Jardine bolstered the performance.
PHOTOS BY JONATHON NAYLOR
