Joe Carpenter & Son, An English Nativity
By Graham Glarke
and
A Child's Christmas in Wales
by Dylan Thomas adapted by Jo-Ann McCabe
Dec 4, 5 and 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm
and December 6 and 7 at 2 pm

Phoenix Players are proud to present a season of premiers, starting December 4th, 2008 with Graham Clarke's "Joe Carpenter and Son, an English Nativity" paired with Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales". Both plays are set in Britain at the turn of the last century. We are delighted to have the Ottawa Welsh Choral Society providing the music for this production.

Joe Carpenter and Son is a retelling of the Christmas story set in England one hundred years ago. The text, rendered in verse, is witty and light hearted. The angel Gabriel comes in riding a bike. Joe Carpenter, although not comprehending the situation Mary is in, steadfastly supports her and loves their darling son. He sees into the future where his shop will be known as Joe Carpenter and Son, Craftsmen in fine English Oak. Throughout the dramatization we are treated to traditional carols sung in four part harmony by the Ottawa Welsh Choral Society.

The second part of the program brings to life the funny, heart-warming memory play, A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, adapted for the stage by our director, Jo-Ann McCabe. The narrator, Dylan Thomas relates what Christmas was like many years ago. The adaptation sticks closely to Thomas' lyrical style. The scenes come to life on the stage as the family gathers for the presents. There are the uncles with their cigars and the aunts sipping tea and ...stronger things; the small boys snowball the cats and the Prothero's house catches fire! It’s a Welsh Christmas so, of course, there’s singing. We’re delighted to have The Ottawa Welsh Choral Society under the direction of Marilyn Jenkins provide English and Welsh folk songs and carols.

Graham Clarke's piece has not been produced in Canada to our knowledge so we are excited about being the first to bring this lovely production to our audience. The dramatization of Dylan Thomas' piece has been done in various informal ways, but as a comprehensive dramatic presentation we think it is a first here in Ottawa. It is certainly the first dramatization of Jo-Ann McCabe's adaptation.

This production is for people of all ages to enjoy. It is an evening of stepping back into a time when things were less complicated; when we could all take pleasure in simple things. Phoenix Players will provide refreshments at the intermission for which donations are gratefully accepted.