Arts and Entertainment featured Montreal Theatre Varia

REVIEW: Little Dickens is Big Holiday Fun at Centaur

Little Dickens is a hugely entertaining, uproariously funny version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The story is told through beautiful string puppets, by Ronnie Burkett of The Daisy Theatre, with wicked improvisations, raunchy vaudeville, and a flash of burlesque. This is a very naughty and nice show (for grown-ups only) and a great kick start to the holiday season.

Little Dickens features fading film star, Esmé Massengill as the Scrooge character. She is cynical, profane, and drunk. She is angry at sacrificing love for fame. As in the classic story, she is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future (or Christmases yet to come…). These hilarious visits become vaudeville-like musical interludes with holiday songs. From a drag-queen Hollywood agent hosting a pool party to an elderly widow from Western Canada, the cast of characters are delightful and unforgettable.

Also unforgettable is the audience participation! Sing-alongs and stage assisting makes the show so delightfully interactive that the audience can feel part of the story. This makes the moving and tender scenes with Little Schnitzel as Tiny Tim, more impactful. It brings depth to the story without being depressing. The cheeky humour carries these moments beautifully. The text and songs are full of ribald double-entendres but the result is humour, not malice. While it is a big story, the show flies by and it feels as though no time has passed; a little bit like Scrooge’s visits.

Mr. Burkett is brilliant! His improvisations are hysterical and over-the-top. He is constantly engaged with the audience on this exceptional journey of a well-known story. The stand-outs, of course, are the puppets. They are gorgeously detailed and presented with remarkable costumes. Each puppet has its own unique articulation and distinct voice, giving them big personalities. They seem to come to life thanks to Mr. Burkett’s incredible talent.

Little Dickens is a wonderful example of how great stories never die. No matter how it’s told, the message of giving and love stays true even if someone is pulling the strings.

Adult only, ages 16+

Photo Credit: Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes

Little Dickens: Presented by Centaur Theatre Company. Created and Performed by Ronnie Burkett. Show continues to December 21, 2019, at the Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier, Old Montreal. For tickets call the box office at 514-288-3161 or go to www.centaurtheatre.com