🎟️ Event Review
📍 Quick Facts
- Event Type: Live Theatre / Holiday Production
- Location: Max Bell Theatre, Werklund Centre, 220 9 Avenue SE
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours, including intermission
- Ticket Info: Tickets required
A Christmas Carol was our first time at Max Bell Theatre. We parked at City Hall and made our way across to our destination. We were super green when it came to the Plus 15. We hadn’t even realized that’s what we were walking through; at that point, we thought it was just a corridor connecting the two buildings.
As we crossed over Macleod Trail, I stopped to take a picture of Calgary Tower lit up for the night. I also spotted the trees lit up for Christmas outside. We shifted our position until we could capture a reflection Ussie with the festive trees in the same shot — all while staying snug inside.
Just before entering Werklund Centre, we came across an artist-in-residence set up in what looked like a glass artist’s pod, with her Labrador nearby. I snapped a photo of her painting with her four-legged companion in the background — an unexpected little moment before the show even began.
After taking another ussie and a few more pictures in the lobby, we made our way to our seats. We’d learned to be cautious about seating after our first visit to Werklund Centre. Geoff’s legs had been pretty cramped during the evening with Phil Rosenthal back in September, so this time we decided to try something a little different and booked seats in Mezzanine Box, Row H, Seats 1 and 2.
Max Bell Theatre is an intimate space, with seating that keeps the audience connected to the action. Sitting farther back from the stage gave us a perfect view of the entire production, allowing us to take in the scenery, costumes and action without any awkward neck angles.
The box seating was comfortable, too. Unlike the fixed seats in the rows, the chairs in the box could be moved to suit our preferences, and there was loads of legroom. After Geoff’s cramped legs during our previous theatre outing, that was a welcome change!
The production stayed true to the traditional world of Dickens, with period costumes that felt right for the tale. The street scenes were magical, with swirling snow, colourful dresses and women bustling through the wintry streets. Old-fashioned street lanterns added to the period feel, and together, the details almost transported us to the streets of old London.
Those scenes were lively, energetic and fun, full of colour and movement. Then Scrooge appeared, with his top hat, lined face and drab clothing, and it was as though he sucked the colour and life out of everything around him — exactly as he was supposed to do.
The supernatural elements added another layer to the production. Ghosts seemed to materialize right before us, enhanced by eerie lighting and the ominous sight and sound of chains. One ghost wore a black suit with bones painted onto it, creating a striking skeletal effect.
It was only at the end of the performance that we learned this was Theatre Calgary’s 38th year presenting A Christmas Carol. A representative came onstage to mark the milestone and invite the audience to support Toonies for Turkeys, Theatre Calgary’s annual campaign for the Calgary Food Bank. With all donations going directly to the Food Bank, it was a fitting reminder that the spirit of Dickens’ story extends beyond the stage and into the community.
So, take a page from Scrooge’s book — the after version, of course. Keep your heart open, share a little kindness, and don’t wait for three ghosts to show up before you remember what Christmas is all about. Bah, humbug? Not on our watch!
📊 Scorecard
• Organization and Flow: 4.5/5
• Engagement & Content: 5/5
• Location & Venue Comfort: 5/5
• Value for Money: 4.5/5
• ⭐ Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
