Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of those texts that fills me with warmth. My other half and I spend the few weeks before each Christmas reading the story to each other. A faded, paperback edition but somehow this gives the experience a rather timeless feel. I also watch and listen to favourite adaptations including Scrooge (the 1951 film version with Alistair Sim), The Muppet Christmas Carol and Jim Dale’s unabridged reading. The story has been adapted in many ways and sometimes not particularly well (the musical film version with Albert Finney springs to mind) but I’m always willing to hear and watch an adaptation of the work.

So it was rather fortuitous that I managed to see Blue Orange Theatre’s final performance of A Christmas Carol. My hopes were high as it was a new theatre that I had not heard of before and they were performing a personal favourite. There is always a slight doubt in the back of one’s mind that any raised expectation can only lead to disappointment and therefore, one tries to dampen any excitement with cold subjectivity.

I need not have worried as the evening was an undiluted joy. It was a small and intimate stage, with a small group of actors where the majority were playing multiple characters but the sheer energy, physical dexterity (plenty of costume changes) and delivery of lines made all doubts dissipate.

It was a reminder that great theatre doesn’t need vast production just imagination and the ability to engage an audience. There were many children present who looked as captivated as members of a theatre audience should be. The production managed to raise the ghost of Dickens’ idea that did not put anybody out of humour with themselves or with the theatre. A success in every possible way.

Heller is of course best known for his novel Catch-22, a rather influential book in terms of forming my world view on matters serious and comedic. I first read it when I was fourteen and although my emerging teenage self didn’t understand all the themes, it did make me laugh on more than three occassions. A rather impressive reaction to elicit from a thirteen year old male.

Below is a video of Heller being interviewed and I have to admit to favouriting this piece of wit, charm and intelligence

Today involved a stroll through Lickey Hills. I decided to use My Tracks on my Android phone to monitor my footsteps. Below is a map of the walk.

View A Walk in Lickey Hills in a larger map

The film stars Ian Brooker, who Ambridge fans will know as Wayne Foley. He plays paranormal investigator Eddie Brewer and judging by the trailer, he is certainly coming up against all manner of rather frightening phenomena.

Not sure when the film is going to be released but since it was shot in my home town of Erdington, I cannot wait to see the finished picture.

An individual has made the connection that the Cookie Monster and Tom Waits sound alike. So being a rather clever individual he has put them both together in a rather enjoyable manner.