Take heart, all those caught up with the holiday shopping frenzy. Thankfully, there is a chance to take a pause and listen to some simple, well-written stories told by Vincent Clark and Laura Giannarelli, two fine actors with a flair for storytelling.
Laura Giannarelli as Her, Vincent Clark as Him in A Child’s Christmas in Wales and Other Stories from Washington Stage Guild (Photo courtesy of the Washington Stage Guild)
Set in a genteel Victorian parlor with red velvet drapes, a Currier and Ives print above the mantel and Tiny Tim’s crutch leaning against it, these two talented actors weave us gently into the season, playing more than a few parts between them.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales and Other Stories, as adapted by Director Bill Largess, takes a tour through Dylan Thomas’ story of his childhood in Wales and some of the lesser known works of famous writers: Louisa May Alcott’s Merry Christmas, is told. And Charles Dickens’ What Christmas Is As We Grow Older, not as well known as his A Christmas Carol, but it’s a beautiful, bittersweet story.
Well directed and well acted, the evening is a short one, lasting little more than an hour, but paced so nicely it seems the perfect length. One of my favorite pieces, King John’s Christmas by A A Milne, gave actor Vincent Clark a superb opportunity to have fun hamming it up as the petulant King John. Laura Giannarelli had equal fun, playing several different slightly tipsy aunts in Thomas’ Child’s Christmas piece, and, it must be said, she is possessed of a marvelous voice- it’s a delight just to hear her speak.
Perhaps the ticket price ($50 for a matinee, $25 for students) is a bit dear for the season when our pockets are already stretched. And it’s not for everyone; though I thoroughly enjoyed the show, others in my party found it somewhat staid.
Yet Washington Stage Guild is still a wonderful place to see actors of stature, in a well crafted piece with the gentle glow of Christmases past.
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A Child’s Christmas in Wales and Other Stories . Adapted for the stage and directed by Bill Largess . Cast: Vincent Clark as Him, Laura Giannarelli as Her . Set Designer: Carl Gudenius and Kevin Small . Sound Design: Frank DiSalvo, Jr . Lighting Designer: Marianne Meadows . Costume Design: Rhe’a Roland . Stage Manager: Arthur Nordlie . Produced by: Washington Theatre Guild . Reviewed by Jill Kyle-Keith.
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