| have_yourself_a_scary_little_christmas.docx |
Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas
This show is presented by the Lyric Theatre with Grimes and Mc Kee and is directed by Frankie Mc Caffery.
Building on the tradition of Christmas ghost stories, this one is set in Darkwood Manor in the fictional village of Carrickilty in Ireland.
It has a cast of four characters who play several cameo parts in addition to their main characters. It has ghosts, mummers, monks, 7 songs and several dance routines. The cast is supported by musician Frankie Mc Illvanna in the non -verbal role of Butler and the other main company creatives are in set, lighting and costume design, and music and choreography.
The show is in two acts with two scenes in act one and three scenes in act two. The duration is approximately two hours with a 20-minute interval at 55 minutes in.
So, imagine Christmas Eve, an eerie ancestral estate, and a TV psychic, Nancy Nugent, ready to livestream the mysteries lurking within. But what if the ghosts she hunts are too ghastly even for her? Intriguing secrets, elusive guests and a sprinkle of holiday spookiness is all part of the festive shivers in Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas.
The set
Designed by Houston Marshall the set is a large square with an apex roof framing a room in an ancestral home. It is predominantly in tones of brown, with wooden floorboards and three hanging lights in shabby shades, giving it the dated and old appearance of faded grandeur. There are two side doors out of the room on the left and right; the centre piece is a large fireplace with fire logs piled to one side, and the letter D on the left and W on the right for Darkwood; there is a large portrait over the fireplace and a small blue and white vase on the mantlepiece. The portrait is of a man with long black wavy hair, with a white ruff at his neck, in the style of Louis XIV.
To the left-hand side there is a table and three chairs, and a bookcase with the shelves full and a scull on top. On the right there is a chaise lounge with a fake tiger skin rug on top, a standard lamp, and an organ.
On either side of the room are wooden steps leading up to a raised platform or upper stage behind the main set. This is used for secondary action throughout the play.
Dramatic lighting is used throughout, to illuminate and dim the set, and pinpoint characters at key moments.
Cast and costumes
There are four actors who perform several characters throughout the show, supported by an onstage musician who plays a piano/ organ live during the performance.
Toby is a member of the family who owns the Darkwood Manor, and this role is performed by Alan McKee. Toby is of medium build, with a neat grey chinstrap beard. He is in his forties and fashionably dressed. He appears wearing a bright blue jacket, a white shirt and checked trousers, and light brown leather shoes.
Nancy first appears as the companion of Toby. This role is played by Ali White. She is of medium height, and well dressed in a three-quarter length black leather coat worn over denim jeans, with a scarf, purple sweater and neat boots. Her thick wavy auburn hair is worn to just below her shoulders. Later in the performance she plays the role of Lady Alice, Toby’s aunt. In that role she first wears a long pink cardigan with a white blouse underneath, and a pink toned pleated calf length skirt in tones of pink, with a grey wig, and later in a red silk pleated dress and an auburn wig.
McKillop, the estate manager, and caretaker is played by Conor Grimes. McKillop is in his forties, is tall, well built and wears a brown check shirt, dark green waistcoat, and dark brown trousers. Later in the performance he plays the role of a Monk called Brother Butler. In that role he wears a long brown hooded Monk's habit and a tonsure wig.
Ciara is played by Nicky Harley. Ciara is the care worker who looks after Toby's elderly Aunt Alice. She is in her late twenties and first appears in a nurses' pink scrubs, grey sports shoes with her brown hair tied back in a small bun. In brief flashback scenes she also plays a stage director for a local theatre company.
Butler is the musician who plays onstage throughout the show. This task is performed by Frankie McIlvana, who is also Musical director for the show. He is tall and wears a black suit and white shirt. Throughout the show he sits behind the piano, and also has access to other instruments including a saxophone.
Production
Writers Conor Grimes and Alan McKee
Director Frankie McCafferty
Set Director Stuart Marshall
Lighting Designer Mary Tumelty
Costume Designer Niamh Mockford
Sound Designer Ian Vennard
Choreographer. Sandy Cuthbert
This show is presented by the Lyric Theatre with Grimes and Mc Kee and is directed by Frankie Mc Caffery.
Building on the tradition of Christmas ghost stories, this one is set in Darkwood Manor in the fictional village of Carrickilty in Ireland.
It has a cast of four characters who play several cameo parts in addition to their main characters. It has ghosts, mummers, monks, 7 songs and several dance routines. The cast is supported by musician Frankie Mc Illvanna in the non -verbal role of Butler and the other main company creatives are in set, lighting and costume design, and music and choreography.
The show is in two acts with two scenes in act one and three scenes in act two. The duration is approximately two hours with a 20-minute interval at 55 minutes in.
So, imagine Christmas Eve, an eerie ancestral estate, and a TV psychic, Nancy Nugent, ready to livestream the mysteries lurking within. But what if the ghosts she hunts are too ghastly even for her? Intriguing secrets, elusive guests and a sprinkle of holiday spookiness is all part of the festive shivers in Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas.
The set
Designed by Houston Marshall the set is a large square with an apex roof framing a room in an ancestral home. It is predominantly in tones of brown, with wooden floorboards and three hanging lights in shabby shades, giving it the dated and old appearance of faded grandeur. There are two side doors out of the room on the left and right; the centre piece is a large fireplace with fire logs piled to one side, and the letter D on the left and W on the right for Darkwood; there is a large portrait over the fireplace and a small blue and white vase on the mantlepiece. The portrait is of a man with long black wavy hair, with a white ruff at his neck, in the style of Louis XIV.
To the left-hand side there is a table and three chairs, and a bookcase with the shelves full and a scull on top. On the right there is a chaise lounge with a fake tiger skin rug on top, a standard lamp, and an organ.
On either side of the room are wooden steps leading up to a raised platform or upper stage behind the main set. This is used for secondary action throughout the play.
Dramatic lighting is used throughout, to illuminate and dim the set, and pinpoint characters at key moments.
Cast and costumes
There are four actors who perform several characters throughout the show, supported by an onstage musician who plays a piano/ organ live during the performance.
Toby is a member of the family who owns the Darkwood Manor, and this role is performed by Alan McKee. Toby is of medium build, with a neat grey chinstrap beard. He is in his forties and fashionably dressed. He appears wearing a bright blue jacket, a white shirt and checked trousers, and light brown leather shoes.
Nancy first appears as the companion of Toby. This role is played by Ali White. She is of medium height, and well dressed in a three-quarter length black leather coat worn over denim jeans, with a scarf, purple sweater and neat boots. Her thick wavy auburn hair is worn to just below her shoulders. Later in the performance she plays the role of Lady Alice, Toby’s aunt. In that role she first wears a long pink cardigan with a white blouse underneath, and a pink toned pleated calf length skirt in tones of pink, with a grey wig, and later in a red silk pleated dress and an auburn wig.
McKillop, the estate manager, and caretaker is played by Conor Grimes. McKillop is in his forties, is tall, well built and wears a brown check shirt, dark green waistcoat, and dark brown trousers. Later in the performance he plays the role of a Monk called Brother Butler. In that role he wears a long brown hooded Monk's habit and a tonsure wig.
Ciara is played by Nicky Harley. Ciara is the care worker who looks after Toby's elderly Aunt Alice. She is in her late twenties and first appears in a nurses' pink scrubs, grey sports shoes with her brown hair tied back in a small bun. In brief flashback scenes she also plays a stage director for a local theatre company.
Butler is the musician who plays onstage throughout the show. This task is performed by Frankie McIlvana, who is also Musical director for the show. He is tall and wears a black suit and white shirt. Throughout the show he sits behind the piano, and also has access to other instruments including a saxophone.
Production
Writers Conor Grimes and Alan McKee
Director Frankie McCafferty
Set Director Stuart Marshall
Lighting Designer Mary Tumelty
Costume Designer Niamh Mockford
Sound Designer Ian Vennard
Choreographer. Sandy Cuthbert
