A Lit And Phil Carol (with a nod to Mr Dickens)

The Lit & Phil’s Head Librarian, Ebenezer Compendium, wants to sell all the books in the library. He just wants to make money. Only science and rational thinking exist in his world. What use is imagination and creativity anyway? His two assistants, George and Frank, are very worried for the future of the library and do everything they can to stop him…but can they convince Compendium to change his mind?

Inspired by the themes of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Frank and George call upon the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Past Libraries to try to convince Compendium of the error of his choices.  They are ably assisted by two characters from Compendium's past: the love of his  life, Lavender Parenthesis and arch rival, Sir Casper Grasper.

This was a family-friendly production - produced in partnership with the Lit & Phil - that used to full effect the atmosphere of the Lit & Phil library on a cold and dark December day.

Credits:

Writer - Fiona Ellis
Director - Cinzia Hardy
Designer - Imogen Cloët
Image and paper sculpture - Bethan Maddocks
BSL Interpreter - Jenna Johnson
Production Volunteer - Helen Nesbitt

Cast:

Narrator - Alice Byrne
Georgina Plumpton (known as George) - Zoe Lambert
Frank Purslane - Jake Jarratt
Ebenezer Compendium - Matt Jamie
Lavender Parenthesis - Clare Forsythe
The Ghost of the Lost Libraries - Grace Kirby
Sir Casper Grasper - Chris Gotts

Supported by:

Arts Council England, the Foyle Foundation, Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation, Newcastle College

Banner Image: Imogen Cloët