Saiturin joulu is a cultural fest

Most of us who have studied in the UK or in an ex British colony are very well acquainted by Charles Dickens and his works. A Christmas Carol is no exception. I remember reading it and many other works of Dickens when I was a teenager. Most of his works tell the dark reality of the beginning of the industrialization in the Victorian era. Stories are mostly told through the eyes of a child as Dickens reflects on his own harsh childhood. A Christmas Carol delves on similar themes where poverty, misery and suffering of children reappear continually as predominant themes. 

The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who despises Christmas and everything associated with it. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him to change his ways or suffer a dreadful fate. Marley tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits. 

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a journey through his own past, showing him scenes from his childhood, youth, and early adulthood. These memories reveal how Scrooge became the bitter man he is today. 

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the joy and warmth of the current Christmas celebrations, including the humble but happy Christmas of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family. Scrooge is particularly moved by the Cratchits’ sickly son, Tiny Tim. 

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come presents a grim future where Scrooge has died alone and unloved. This vision terrifies Scrooge and makes him realize the consequences of his selfishness. 

Awakening on Christmas morning, Scrooge is transformed. He embraces the spirit of Christmas, generously helps those in need, and reconciles with his family and friends. Scrooge’s newfound kindness and generosity bring joy to those around him, and he becomes a beloved figure in the community. 

Relevant story about hope

So how did I imagine this story in my mind as a teenager growing up in a small hill town of Shiml? I had never been outside India but somehow had a very clear notion of what the UK must be like, because Shimla used to be the summer capital of the British empire. We still suffer from a colonial hangover. I don’t remember very well how I have pictured it in my mind almost 30 years ago, but I do remember the story made me thing of freezing cold and darkness. Also, the importance of having a loving and caring family. 

And yes, it was very exciting to dress up in fineries, arrive at the theatre with my mother-in-law to watch a very English Victorian story presented in Finnish, on a Finnish stage. 

The play was a complete cultural fest. I call the play a cultural fest because there was song, dance, lights and action. It was a delight to see ceili dancing on stage. 

Janne Raudaskoski who played the lead, Ebeneezer Scrooge, did an absolutely commendable job. The role was very demanding as the character had to be on centre stage almost all through the play. What impressed me the most was how Janne depicted the change in Scrooge’s persona. It looked like Scrooge’s entire face had changed, harsh lines turned to soft, rigid and jerky body movements turned into soft and flowy. 

The set of the play managed to convey very well the chill of a bleak English winter combined with the coldness of Scrooge’s heart. The metaphor of frost was very generously and aptly used all through the play.  

The child artists of the play need a special mention, there was first class acting, combined with very Victorian song and dance. 

How can any Christmas story be told without Christmas carols. I recognised most of the carols in the play and was tempted to sing along.  It needs to be mentioned that I went to a protestant school where carol singing was an integral part of waiting for Christmas. 

Please go watch this very relevant Christmas story. It tells about hope. Hope that people and circumstances can change for better.  

And now I must go put up the Christmas decorations. 

Priyanka Sood 
Näyttämöraati 

Näyttämöraati is an independent group of interesting people from Oulu who tell about their theatre experiences in their own words on different channels. The Oulu theatre wants to increase the conversation about experiencing art in a relaxed manner.