The ‘Farndale Avenue Christmas Carol’ Review

Ottawa audiences have plenty to choose from if they want to see a version of Charles Dickens's classic A Christmas Carol this year. There is the Robert Zemeckis animated film staring Jim Carrey now playing in theatres, an upcoming show at the National Arts Centre, and a rather unique take at the Gladstone Theatre entitled (take a deep breath): The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Town Women's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol. On Dec. 3, I decided to get into the Christmas spirit by attending Gladstone Theatre's version.

Writers David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr.'s Farndale Ave...Christmas Carol is a comedic take on this yuletide favorite. It tells the story of a church community theatre's production of A Christmas Carol and, not surprisingly, everything goes wrong. The actors fail to show up on time, the set is in need of frequent repair, and some of the casting choices are questionable. For example, Bob Cratchit is played by an elderly women (actress Rachel Eugster) with a walker, neck brace, and leg cast.

The problem with the script is that there is little character development, and the narrative is just an unending sequence of gags. Most of the jokes, moreover, are of the predictable variety and the humour often feels forced.

The script also relies on audience participation that isn't very well thought out. Rather than encouraging genuine interaction with the cast, the participation in this play is a contrived means of setting up various gags -- usually at the audience's expense. One poor audience member was given an afghan (to keep warm) and was stuck holding onto it for the entire second act.

The audience catches on quickly to the nature of the participation McGillivray and Zerlin Jr. (and director Steve Martin) are looking for, making them less inclined to engage with the performers. There is a game of charades and a sing-along before the play's conclusion, both of which rely largely on audience participation.  Unfortunately, on the night I attended, the audience's response was quite limited.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Town Women's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol is not my cup of tea, but humour is fairly subjective, so it's possible others will find this play much funnier than I did.

During the entire run of the Farndale Ave...Christmas Carol (Dec. 3 to Dec. 19), The Gladstone we will be collecting non-perishable goods for the Ottawa Food Bank. For more info and ticket information, click here.

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