Quick-
I’m directing this play, you know?
Need Feedback:
When you think of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, what images come to your mind?
I’m looking for a few iconic things to use onstage, just a couple, and I’m wondering what everyone pictures when you think of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visits and spiritual redemption?
Whether it’s from reading the book, watching the movie, seeing the play, or listening to Patrick Stewart’s one-man version of it on audio-book: What do you see in your mind’s eye when you think of it?
Just a quick list of anything that comes to mind would be hugely helpful!!
Tony Caselli 
Always always musty darkness, long flowing tattered clothing and the feeling of needing to budget from lack of funds.
Is that what you are looking for?
Yes! Thanks!
That’s very helpful, but I’m also looking for even more specific: One object, or item.
For instance, when I think of Lord Of The Rings, I think of The One Ring. OR, I always picture the chainmail shirt that Frodo got as a gift from the Elves to wear. Those, for whatever reason, are the two big icons from that story that stick in my head.
(This show, as I posted about earlier, is so sparse and minimal with props and costumes, that I’m hoping to find a handful of key iconic things to use!)
I for some reason always think of very rusty old skeleton keys.
Hm.. I’d have to think on this. Write the small things down that I think of without thinking of them too much. Does that make sense?
Mmmmm….keys…very good. Locks and chains figure BIG in this little pageant…
chains
a bed with curtains
a candle holder
a sleeping cap
a crutch
scrooge’s barren office with a few tables and candles
Tiny tim’s pageboy cap
hope this helps!
You, Kateherself, are not only a marvelous Actor and Teacher, you’re a Director too. Awesome. Very helpful.
glad to be of service
*bows*
Wow, hard.
Snow. (okay I know that’s not an object)
Chains and/or shackles
expensive robe
a Large doorknocker
fire and coal (or lack thereof)
A large grandfather clock
That’s all I got.
Good luck,
Annie
Re: Wow, hard.
Oooh, these are good. Interesting, also, that ‘snow, fire and coal’ all made me think of COLD, and the fact that so far I’ve completely ignored the fact that everyone in Scrooge’s office should be freezing cold (except for him, of course).
Thanks!!
Re: Wow, hard.
Oh, and;
PS – Where’s the “I’m not only a playwright, I’m a big editor at a small university press and here are all of the parts of my life that are worth telling people about” LiveJournal that I’ve been waiting to read?
Hmmmm?
Re: Wow, hard.
I’d rather read yours. Much more fascinating. Plus, I’d probably be fired if anyone ever found out the actual shit I think. I love your blog though.
kisses.
Candleholder
Crutch
huge old dusty book
Well hi there Ohiblather!
Huge dusty old book – that’s a new one, and a good one!
And Candleholder and Crutch are beginning to be a theme – that’s a good thing.
Thank you!
The number one image that comes to my mind are the chains. (Symbolism, anyone?)
Though the lingering figure of Death itself is pretty prominent, too.
Really though, a big part of it for me is color. Even though Christmas is usually this really vibrant time, I never see a ton of color until the end of the play, everything in my mind is always toned down to a more grayscale. …That make sense?
The color thing absolutely makes sense, yes. And you’re right on, that’s how it’s going to be in this production, too…