The search is on to find a Tiny Tim – or Tina – for a special Aberdeen version of A Christmas Carol to be broadcast to every home in the north-east this festive season.
The landmark audio play, from the city’s Ten Feet Tall Theatre, will bring the voices and the landmarks of the Granite City to life in a fresh take on Dickens’ uplifting story, aimed at spreading Christmas cheer and bringing the whole of the north-east together.
Producer Cameron Mowat said An Aberdeen Christmas Carol – to be broadcast on SHMU radio and available via the P&J website – will mix professional and amateur actors.
However, one role is yet to be cast and the hunt is on to find a local youngster to take on the crucial role of Tiny Tim.
“We are looking for a central character to the whole story, Tiny Tim – or it can be Tiny Tina. We are looking for a child because the character is the youngest member of the Cratchit family,” said Cameron.
An Aberdeen Christmas Carol aims to unite the north-east
An Aberdeen Christmas Carol will also live up to the spirit of the season by supporting two worthy causes – the Big Christmas Food Appeal and the city council’s Aberdeen Warm Spaces initiative.
The Big Christmas Food Appeal sees the Press and Journal, Evening Express, Original 106 and Energy Voice team up to raise vital cash and donations for our charity partner Cfine.
Cameron said: “We wanted to create a project that was hopefully going to unite the whole city… something free and accessible for anybody that we could literally get inside every person’s home this Christmas.
“So we thought what better way than to take over the airwaves and hopefully bring a lot of Christmas cheer, unity and community at a time which is potentially very difficult.”
Supported the council’s Creative Funding scheme, An Aberdeen Christmas Carol will be broadcast on SHMU radio on December 19 and available on the P&J website from December 20.
Audio play will give Aberdeen identity to classic A Christmas Carol
“We’ve kept within the Victorian concept because that’s something which captures everyone’s imagination,” said Cameron.
“But our spin is this is an Aberdeen Christmas Carol, so we’re putting Aberdeen accents in it, locating it up here and really trying to give an Aberdeen identity to this classic tale.
“And with this total Aberdeen identity and through this project celebrate Aberdeen’s bustling creative energy we have here through music, drama and sound.”
It will feature a cast of ordinary Aberdonians, led by professional actor Kern Falconer who will take on the pivotal role of Scrooge.
“We were chuffed to get an actor or his quality, experience and skill,” said Cameron. “He’s already played Scrooge a couple of times in different theatres and has been in numerous films and Scottish TV shows.”
At the moment Ten Feet Tall is running workshops involving people who are having their first taste of acting and will form the rest of the cast – which will also feature some well-kent faces, or voices from the north-east.
As for the hunt for Tiny Tim or Tina, those interested in auditioning can visit the Ten Feet Tall website where they can find a short reading from the script to record and send in via a link.
Local bands to provide music for An Aberdeen Christmas Carol
An Aberdeen Christmas Carol will also feature local bands who are being asked to play an acoustic version of classic festive songs as musical interludes to the audio drama.
“It is a radio drama and we do go quite dark at Scrooge’s miserly behaviour, so as a welcome break to that we will have musical interludes that give the listener a chance to enjoy some Christmas songs as well,” said Cameron.
“And we’re delighted that Aberdeen band Little Kicks have already agreed to take part. They have just released a new album and are currently on tour.”
Cameron said An Aberdeen Christmas Carol is not just about bringing people together but also helping others through support for the Big Christmas Food Appeal and the council’s Warm Spaces project. Listeners will be asked to donate to both causes.
“The whole story is about the realisation of community and giving back to the community. So for those who feel that they can this Christmas, we are going to be donating any proceeds towards these two vital charities at this difficult time.
“It’s about thinking of others and what you can contribute to them, be it big or small,” said Cameron, adding details about how to donate will be on the theatre’s website.
Aberdeen Christmas Carol will be ‘special experience’ for listeners
Cameron hopes An Aberdeen Christmas Carol will be a very special experience for everyone who listens to it.
“I feel through the music, drama, and sound design that we can really celebrate the region at Christmas time.
“This is a way to engage with the spirit of Christmas – especially for those who can’t get out of their house – and to enjoy the amazing creativity we have in the region.”
For more information about An Aberdeen Christmas Carol go to tenfeettalltheatre.com
For more information, or to get involved with The Big Christmas Food Appeal, click here.
Conversation