Embrace a Tudor/Victorian Christmas celebration, as the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society presents “Shakespeare Meets Dickens” Dec. 18.
The evening will feature songs, scenes, Christmas food and drinks. Costumes are also encouraged.
Kate Connolly says the event is an annual fundraiser for the Society, which has been operating since 2012. “We’re best known for our outdoor performances in Galt Gardens, Legacy Park, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and at Casa.”
“Plus, we do some out-of-town performances every year in Fort Macleod, Nanton and High River.”
“Shakespeare Meets Dickens” is a blend of two of the greatest writers in English and in history, adds Connolly. “We start off our show with Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ which is a shortened version. We also have a lot of things like communal carols. Everyone that attends will do sing-along carols. We have many good singers. Mostly, they do songs that are Christmas, winter or winter-related or they do songs that have some connection to Shakespeare.”
“We also have a scene from Shakespeare. This year, we’re doing a scene from ‘Lear,’ with Lear and his three daughters,” says Connolly.
The evening is a mix of a wonderful selection of really good singers and actors, adds Connolly.
On top of that, Connolly says, there will be Christmas goodies, including short breads and mince pies. “And we have hot chocolate and cider and Casa puts on a cash bar for those that want to indulge.”
“It’s a great evening. It lasts two hours and it’s a wonderful way to step into Christmas.”
According to Connolly, patrons are encouraged to come along dressed in costume. “Not necessarily a full costume, but just in a suggestion of anything that’s Victorian or Elizabethan. It could just be a top hat or a long muffler. Or it could be something a bit fancier like a hat with a feather in it. Every year, we always have at least 10 or 15 people that come in a costume of some kind, which is wonderful to see.”
The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Casa Community Room. Tickets are available at Casa reception.
