Unwrapping the Spirit of Scrooge – The Actors Behind Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carols Ebenezer Scrooge

Charles Dickens' masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, set against the backdrop of Victorian London, follows the transformation tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and bitter businessman, on a magical journey of redemption and self-discovery.

As the story unfolds, Scrooge encounters a series of spectral visitors, including the iconic Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.

As Scrooge is confronted with his own past choices and their impact on his present and future, he witnesses the joy and warmth of others, ultimately leading to a profound change of heart.

With themes of compassion, forgiveness, and the true meaning of Christmas, A Christmas Carol has captivated audiences the world over for years, and serves as a powerful reminder of the power of love, teaching us about compassion and the importance of kindness and generosity as we embrace the festive spirit of the holiday season.

VR Theatrical’s production of A Christmas Carol “is truly unique and features animated ghosts, original music and two wonderful actors playing several characters” says VR Theatrical’s Executive Producer, Jaco van Rensburg.

We went behind-the-scenes with actors William Harding (playwright and director of The Kings of the World, and roles in The Last Victims, Daryn's Gym) and Zak Hendrikz (Actor, Director, Producer, and for roles in 7de Laan, Getroud met Rugby, Haatklop, Rock of Ages, Aspoestertjie) to find out more about their journey and experiences in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in this iconic and enchanting masterpiece.

Scrooge is such an iconic character. What appealed to you about this role, and how do you prepare to be Ebenezer Scrooge? [an old, stingy and mean man who when we are first introduced to him in the play, is a name without humanity who becomes the most humane person]

William:

It is an incredible gift to both be able to play a curmudgeonly old man and Scrooge’s redemptive ark has always been moving. Scrooge is one of those characters that just exists within everyone, whether you’ve read the book or not, everyone has an image of Scrooge in their heads, he is a cultural icon. Which is a little bit intimidating to interpret, but I draw on my imagination and try to stay true to Dickens’s vision as best I can interpret. In terms of preparing it all comes down to reading the text until a look and a sound comes to the imagination, then sticking on the mutton chops takes care of the rest.

Zak:

Portraying the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge is a transformative journey, as the character evolves from a miser to a compassionate soul. While I usually wake up with a smile, I connect with Scrooge through shared experiences of despair and loss of humanity. In the beginning, I draw on these emotions to interpret Scrooge. As the play progresses, I infuse the character with my own positive outlook, bringing authenticity to Scrooge's ultimate transformation and the rediscovery of hope and humanity.

What were the biggest challenges you faced playing Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation? [you are in essence playing a single character, while having to make the character realistic, and transition from the self-contained mean miser of an old man, who decides to look at his life, remember things he hasn't remembered in years and make the conscious decision to change]

William:

The major difficulty on playing Scrooge is by finding the right balance between the rather heightened comic book like character that Dickens wrote with a grounded reality. In terms of the transformation Scrooge undergoes, the challenge is to not make it too easy, but to allow Scrooge to go on a journey of redemption by somewhat delaying his change of heart as long as is feasible.

Zak:

Playing Ebenezer Scrooge presented significant challenges, particularly in capturing the character's dual nature. Portraying his initial miserly and cold-hearted demeanour demanded a delicate balance to avoid caricature. The challenge intensified during Scrooge's transformative journey, as I strived to authentically convey the profound emotional shifts. Ensuring a gradual and believable transformation required meticulous attention to detail, both in physicality and emotional expression. Scrooge's age added an additional layer of complexity, requiring me to vocalize and physicalize the character convincingly. Despite the age difference, I played to my strengths, making him physically younger by the end of the show when his humanity has returned. Navigating these nuances became one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of portraying this iconic role.

The theme of generosity and empathy are central to A Christmas Carol. How does your interpretation of Scrooge emphasise these?

William:

To highlight the theme of empathy and generosity, I think comes down to being true to Scrooge’s rather unlikeable traits at the beginning, and finding resonances with the lessons the ghosts teach him… watching Scrooge, who probably thinks himself passed the ability to change, come to realise that it’s never too late to become a better person, and the joy inherent in kindness and generosity is very moving.

Zak:

In my take on Scrooge, I really crank up the theme of generosity and empathy. At first, I play him as this grumpy, stingy guy, really driving home his lack of heart. But as the story unfolds, I let Scrooge discover the joy of giving and connecting with others. I get into the character's skin, using expressions, gestures, and changing up my voice to show his transformation. It's like I'm taking the audience on this heartfelt journey, emphasizing the warmth and generosity that makes 'A Christmas Carol' so special.

What aspects of Scrooge’s story (if any) resonate with you on a deeper level?

William:

The idea that we can come to touch something we have lost or outgrown from our past (in Scrooge’s case his kinder nature but for someone else it could be a sense of adventure, or curiosity, or playfulness) is very pertinent to me.

Zak:

Scrooge's story hits close to home for me. I might not be an old miser, but who hasn't hit a rough patch in life? I get that feeling of being stuck and losing touch with what really matters. Scrooge's journey is like a reminder that we can all change, find joy, and reconnect with the good stuff in life. It's that idea of a second chance and personal growth that really speaks to me, and I think it's something a lot of people can relate to.

What do you hope audiences take home from the show?

William:

To have gone on an unexpected adventure. To be thrilled and moved. And to be thoroughly entertained.

Zak:

I hope audiences leave the show with a heart full of warmth and a renewed spirit of generosity. 'A Christmas Carol' has this incredible ability to remind us of the power of kindness and compassion. I want people to carry that feeling into their own lives, especially during the holiday season. If, for a moment, the play sparks a bit more joy, kindness, and connection, then I feel like we've done something truly magical. Ultimately, it's about spreading the love and embracing the spirit of Christmas long after the curtains close.

What’s your Christmas wish / message to all this Festive Holiday Season?

William:

A Christmas wish for everyone is too great a burden for me. My wish for myself is to spend time with family and loved ones, and I know I’ll be blessed. For everyone else, I hope their wishes come true too.

Zak:

My Christmas wish is simple: soak up the joy of being with loved ones and sharing kindness. Let your hearts be warm, your smiles be big, and your holiday moments be full of laughter and love. Here's to making memories and embracing all the good vibes this festive season. Cheers to happiness and spreading the love!

The Quick Answer Festive Edition

 Favourite Christmas Carol / song?

William: Let it snow let it snow let it snow (even in South African summer)

Zak: Auld Lang Syne

Favourite Christmas memory?

William: Santa brought me a toy kitchenette. I made plastic burgers all day.

Zak: One of my very fond Christmas memories involves my grandfather's annual tradition of retrieving the same well-used Christmas tree from the garage. It was a familiar routine, dusting off the timeless decorations for a festive touch. Despite its simplicity, the recurring nature of this tradition created a sense of continuity and warmth, contributing to the unique charm of our holiday celebrations.

Favourite Christmas activity / tradition?

William: Stockings on Christmas morning?

Zak: Making Christmas Lunch!

Worst Christmas gift ever received?

William: An automatic toilet light (Secret Santa)

Zak: The year I didn’t get a gift from my parents!

Do you have a favourite (watch every year) Christmas movie?

William: A tie between Muppets Christmas Carol, Die Hard, Jingle All the Way, Love Actually, Home Alone and It’s A Wonderful Life.

Zak: The Nightmare before Christmas

What are you most grateful for at this time of year? [it is the season]

William: Family and friends

Zak: The holiday season over Christmas always make people forget about their problems, there is a different feeling in the air that is less dense and more positive.

Having played to sold-out audiences for the last 6 years in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, VR Theatrical’s production of A Christmas Carol returns to the stage this festive season as a reminder that we all embody the true spirit of Christmas in our actions and interactions with others.

Show Information:

Johannesburg

• Pieter Toerien’s Theatre, Montecasino
• 24 November – 10 December 2023

Cape Town

• Theatre On The Bay
• 6 – 16 December 2023

Tickets available through Webtickets.

Cast and Creative Team:

• Joburg: William Harding and Taylor Salgado
• Cape Town: Zak Hendrikz and Natalie Robbie
• Adaptation and Original Direction: Elizma Badenhorst
• Soundtrack: Wessel Odendaal
• Animation: Naret Loots