Oxford actress Anna Glynn thinks Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is more relevant than ever, as she returns to the stage in a new adaptation of the novel.
Anna, 29, from Summertown, is in rehearsals for the Creation Theatre production of the classic, which will be at Oxford’s North Wall Arts Centre from December 8 until January 7. Anna stars as Belle, the woman who broke Scrooge’s heart and turned him into the cold, miserly character of the Victorian tale.
The former Cherwell School pupil and a graduate of Guildford School of Acting, said: “Playing Belle is great. It’s very interesting, particularly in the current economic climate.
“Belle meets Scrooge at a time when he is a young man and surrounded by positive people who put people before money but as they get closer to being married, Scrooge becomes particularly hardened and puts money before everything. Belle directly tells him, ‘you are creating a prison out of money and soon you will be completely alone’.
“The play makes you think about the place that money has in our lives. Now the economic crash has happened, the play is particularly relevant. It is interesting that Dickens was questioning back then how people manage money, what they do with money and how we look after people who are in terrible financial hardship. What our relationship is in society to money really makes people think."
As well as starring in a lead role, Anna will be playing other small parts in the production, which takes place in the North Wall's converted Victorian swimming pool - a perfect, spooky setting for the production.
“It is a real family story, very festive, full of carols and great fun," said Anna. "It’s really good to get people into the spirit of the season, it’s a bit like Dickens invented the Christmas that we know, the idea that we can take a minute to think about one another and think about others rather than ourselves and be a community. People should leave full of Christmas cheer.”
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.creationtheatre.co.uk or call 01865 766266.
