ohbloodyhell8

Starting in 2011, we would see “A Christmas Carol” performed by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens. I’ve written about it before as it is a family tradition. This year we got tickets to see it at Byers Choice, the company that makes hand made carolers and sponsored his tour each year.

The Byers Choice factory is so much more than a factory. There are giant dioramas to walk through created with the carolers, including the Twelve Days of Christmas and A Christmas Carol. The grounds are beautiful and include a small garden and wonderful sculptures.

We had purchased our tickets in August and didn’t know at the time that it was his farewell tour. Mr. Dickens had made the hard decision to stop touring in the USA and be home in England for a change in December. He had toured here for 25 years so it is understandable he was ready to perform only (mostly?) in England.

This was a family tradition that kicked off the Christmas season for us. We are going to miss this dreadfully. But we did buy the dvd and we preordered the caroler of Mr. Dickens that Byers Choice made to mark his farewell tour.

When we got there, I discovered that our performance had a Q & A, not photos. I was so sad we wouldn’t get our last annual photo with Mr. Dickens. As we walked into the building, we happened to bump into him. It was like seeing an old friend, and I was touched that he recognized us. I told him how sad I was that there wouldn’t be photos after and he said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get your photo.” His thoughtfulness has been constant and I was so grateful we’d get our last family photo with him.

The performance was outstanding as always. It is an intense performance…about an hour and a half, no intermission, and he portrays all of the characters. It’s so very powerful to watch. He adds little nuances each year, but some things are always the same and we looked forward to them each year. The response to Mrs. Cratchit’s pudding…”Ahhhhhh” followed by one side not doing it up to par and then trying it again only to be told it was too late now! And toward the end, as Scrooge waits for Bob Cratchit’s arrival the day after Christmas …”it was 9:05 but nooooooooooo Bob,” with the audience joining in as a chorus on each”nooooooooooo Bob!”

Mr. Gerald Charles Dickens became a part of our tradition. He let us come in and know him better man. Our sons were eight and six when we first saw the show. They’re now 22 and 20 and their girlfriends are now in two years of pictures. He was so kind when Bear died and said what a nice man he was and he had enjoyed their talks each year (because Bear always got there early and they would end up chit-chatting). He and the show are truly woven into our Christmas traditions. We will miss seeing him next year, but will watch the dvd to keep it going.

Thank you, Gerald Charles Dickens, for years of family time, Christmas spirit, and a reminder to come in, come in and know me better man.