A Christmas Carol 2023 at the Campbell House

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 2023 at the Campbell House!

The Three Ships Collective, with the support of Soup Can Theatre, is remounting our site-specific and award-winning smash-hit adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and we need your help!

ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

The Three Ships Collective’s A Christmas Carol is an original and immersive theatrical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story, set in the historic Campbell House Museum located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Written by Justin Haigh, directed by Sare Thorpe, and with music by Pratik Gandhi, this production invites audience members to step into the world of Victorian London and follow flinty miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his ghostly journey of redemption.

A Christmas Carol was first presented in 2018 and immediately received rave reviews from both the press and public alike. The inaugural production was recognized at the My Entertainment World Awards, with lead actor Thomas Gough winning for ‘Outstanding Leading Performance in a Play (Independent)’, and director Sare Thorpe nominated for ‘Outstanding Direction’ (Independent)’. Now in its fifth year, A Christmas Carol has established itself as a cherished Toronto holiday tradition.

Our adaptation includes new scenes, characters, historic details, and narrative twists that do not exist in Dickens’ version, as well as songs and musical elements written specifically for this production. Our fresh take on this classic tale allows us to evoke contemporary issues and themes of social justice through the lens of the past, as well as to emphasize the universal, secular, and humanist themes of the story, making this beloved tale accessible for audience members of all backgrounds.

WHY SUPPORT THIS PRODUCTION?

While we are fortunate to have enthusiastic audiences, ticket sales alone are not enough; the site-specific nature of the Campbell House is one of the elements that makes our presentation so intimate and magical, but also means that our audience capacity is only a fraction of that of a traditional theatrical venue and this significantly limits our potential revenue - even with sold-out performances. We have also chosen not to raise ticket prices this year - in spite of our own costs increasing - in an effort to ensure our production remains accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

Furthermore, this is very much a grass-roots production and we produce this show without the assistance of any major corporate sponsors, governmental organizations, granting bodies, or other similar funding on which larger theatre organizations typically rely. With a large cast and significant expenses (such as period costumes and set dressing, insurance, venue and rehearsal space, etc.), the scale of our production is diametrically at odds with our financial standing. For these reasons, we count on additional fundraising efforts - like this GoFundMe - to ensure our production remains viable and we can continue to present it year after year for the many audience members who have chosen to make it part of their holiday celebrations.

With your support of this year’s production, our Collective will be able to:

1. Present the highest quality of work possible while also ensuring that our tickets remain fairly priced and accessible to patrons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

2. Compensate the artists that make up our collective for their effort and involvement.

3. Bring a little joy and humanity into an otherwise bleak year.

CHARITABLE SOCK DRIVE

We will also be honouring A Christmas Carol’s key tenets of charity and giving by holding a sock drive in conjunction with registered charity, Socks4Souls. Socks are the most needed but least donated clothing item in homeless shelters; ticket holders will be encouraged to bring a new pair of socks for us to collect on behalf of Socks4Souls, who will distribute them to local shelters.

PRESS AND REVIEWS

Here are just a few of the very kind words Toronto’s critics have written about The Three Ships Collective’s A Christmas Carol:

NOW Magazine – NNNNN

“Brilliant … If the thought of seeing yet another staging of A Christmas Carol makes you cringe, check your cynicism – and your preconceptions – at the door. [This] version isn’t your same-old, bah-humbug affair. … Captures all the spirit of the Charles Dickens tale … Don’t be surprised if, days after seeing this show, you’re haunted by the play’s generous spirit.” [Full review here ]

MGT Magazine - ★★★★

“Delightful … Charming … Taut and propulsive … I had a tear in my eye … This production is extravagant in ways that a Scrooge would not approve of.” [Full review here ]

My Entertainment World

“A stunning show … truly wonderful … A more perfect setting for a family Christmas play could not exist. You can feel the sense of a Victorian Christmas celebration in the smell of the cooking fire, the vaulted windows and archways, and the hollow echo of the old wooden staircase. … This production is now on my must-do list for the holiday season.” [Full review here ]

Broadway World

“While A Christmas Carol might be a long-running tradition for many people during the holidays, this production makes it feel brand new … It’s a story with dozens of iterations and adaptations, but a few small adjustments to this beloved Christmas tale make all the difference.” [Full review here ]

Sesaya Arts Magazine

“It is a most unusual experience – and it is excellent. … You feel as if you are inside the Victorian world that the characters inhabit … A unique and truly wonderful production. … " [Full review here ]

Slotkin Letter

“One of the best productions on offer … Uses the gift of setting the story in the Campbell House Museum to its full advantage … Exemplary and magical.” [Full review here ]

ABOUT THE THREE SHIPS COLLECTIVE AND SOUP CAN THEATRE

The Three Ships Collective was originally formed in 2018 for the purpose of creating and staging this production of A Christmas Carol. Past and present members include accomplished, critically-acclaimed, and Dora Award-winning artists whose credits include (among many others) Mirvish Productions, Soulpepper, Crow’s Theatre, The Shaw Festival, The National Ballet of Canada, as well as notable film and TV productions Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Boys, Murdoch Mysteries, The Umbrella Academy, The Expanse, and Kim’s Convenience.

Soup Can Theatre is a Toronto-based company that explores and comments on contemporary issues and societal challenges, offering audiences a theatrical experience that is both entertaining and enriching. Founded in 2009, Soup Can Theatre has been producing truly independent theatre, garnering critical acclaim, multiple awards and accolades, and a dedicated following of theatre-goers. Shows have included ambitious and immersive musical productions (Love is a Poverty You Can Sell I & II), contemporary re-imaginings of iconic works (Marat/Sade, Antigone, A Hand of Bridge, No Exit, The Threepenny Opera in Concert), intimate original creations (HERETIC) and unique and daring collaborative concepts (Circle J*rk).

Both the Three Ships Collective and Soup Can Theatre operate on a not-for-profit basis.

We are accepting donations from now until the end of the production's run. Donate today, and help us keep this cherished tradition alive! A CHRISTMAS CAROL will run December 6-22, 2023.

Stay tuned to Soup Can Theatre's social media for updates on the production, ticket sales, and more! @SoupCanTheatre on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. #ChristmasCarolTO