In these tense times of political upheaval, war, strife and deepening divisions, don鈥檛 you think it鈥檚 time to truly embrace the spirit of Christmas?
To really make it a time of hope, goodwill, redemption and joy?
That鈥檚 exactly what Wonderheads creators Kate Braidwood and Andrew Phoenix aim to accomplish with their reimagining of 鈥� that Dickens classic that has inspired generations with its timeless tale of empathy, transformation and the power of human connection.
Through their signature blend of larger-than-life masks, whimsical puppetry, and astonishing visual storytelling, the Wonderheads breathe fresh life into Ebenezer Scrooge鈥檚 emotional metamorphosis.
鈥淚t is a journey of redemption which we take very seriously, especially nowadays," Phoenix says. "We think that idea of learning some empathy is an important one, and we take that task to heart.鈥�
Their adaptation captures the magic and wonder of the season, inviting audiences to laugh, cry and reflect on the enduring values that unite us 鈥� even in challenging times.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something about the style that we work in that taps into a sense of childlike wonder for people and opens their hearts a little bit," says Kate, who performs as Scrooge throughout the entire 75-minute show.
"Our favourite sound to hear from an audience is that gasp of amazement as they lean forward in their seats..."
Braidwood and Phoenix honed their craft at a physical theatre school in the U.S., specializing in European mask techniques inspired by the Lecoq method. The masks 鈥� giant paper-m芒ch茅 works of art 鈥� are designed to evoke awe and transform the stage into a world of imagination.
The show鈥檚 evolution is ongoing, as the pair continually refine and expand their production. Recently, they introduced a 10-foot-tall Ghost of Christmas Present, adding a stunning visual centerpiece that elevates the performance.
鈥淔or us, our favourite sound to hear from an audience is that gasp of amazement as they lean forward in their seats鈥e absolutely love whisking people away into a world of magic and wonder,鈥� Phoenix says.
鈥淭he story is really a journey of redemption, but it鈥檚 also about empathy 鈥� something we think is so important, especially now. We hope our work helps audiences feel a little more connected to that idea."
The Wonderheads bring A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol to Vancouver Island with performances at the from Dec. 18 to 21 and two shows in on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24, including a daytime Christmas Eve show.
