Dickensblog

'A Christmas Carol' back on Broadway

Campbell Scott will follow in the footsteps of his father, George C. Scott, when he plays Ebenezer Scrooge on Broadway. This particular adaptation, which was written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and premiered in London in 2017, will be the first version of A Christmas Carol to appear on a Broadway stage since 2001, according to Broadway database IBDB. It will run from November 7 through January 5. Tickets are on sale now!

R.I.P. Richard Williams

The 86-year-old animator, who passed away on Friday, won an Academy Award for his 1971 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, in which Alastair Sim reprised his role as Ebenezer Scrooge.

More good news for 'Copperfield'

The Personal History of David Copperfield will be a special presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as a special presentation in September! This is the second prestigious film festival to announce that it will show the film (you'll recall that the BFI London Film Festival announced it last month). 

In other Copperfield news, Lionsgate UK, the British distributors of the film, have partnered with BBC Children in Need for a fundraising effort. "Secondary schools will be invited to download an exclusive 30 minute version of the film script . . . [which] will provide an opportunity for students to build on their acting skills and self-confidence whilst raising money for BBC Children in Need by selling tickets to peers, teachers and parents to come and watch their performance." Read more here. 

'A Christmas Carol' at the TCA

Members of the new A Christmas Carol production talked to critics at the Television Critics Association's press tour this week. Writer Steven Knight said of Guy Pearce's Scrooge, “I didn’t want him to look like his soul because his soul is pretty wretched. . . . But on the outside he’s okay and what I wanted to do is to have an audience say to themselves why is this person like this . . . and I hope that in the three hours we explore the reasons behind what Ebenezer Scrooge is, why has he become this person.” Read more here and here.

Exciting news!

Well, it's exciting for me, and I hope it will be for you too! :-) 

I've signed with Plough Publishing House to do The Gospel in Dickens for their book series "The Gospel in Great Writers." The book is currently scheduled to be released in late 2020. Like previous books in the series, this book will consist of excerpts from the author's work, plus commentary from the editor (in this case, me). 

I've long wanted to write a book on Dickens. In this case, you could say that Dickens and I are co-writing the book. I hope he'd be pleased with my contribution!

Mr. Dickens watching me sign the contract. (Photo copyright Joyce Dalfonzo)