“I’m most looking forward to…seeing the little faces looking up at the snow falling down at the end below the chandelier in our beautiful theatre.” Crawford Logan on playing Scrooge in The Lyceum’s An Edinburgh Christmas Carol opening soon on the 24th November!
Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum has been a city institution since its construction in 1883. Resident there since 1965, The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company has long proved one of the UK’s leading producers of new work, not least in commissioning former Associate Artist Tony Cownie to create An Edinburgh Christmas Carol in 2019. A huge success then, it owed much to a winning performance from Crawford Logan, who created the role, and who returns to helm a fresh production this Christmas 2022! Crawford was kind enough to answer a few questions from TheQR…
[TheQR] This does seem to be the year of Christmas Carol productions around the country, what do you think has caused this outbreak of crotchety old men and well-meaning ghosts?
[Crawford Logan] Sign of the times, I guess. It’s a story which sadly is always relevant, perhaps even more so after the past three years with inequality and the divide between rich and poor on the rise. But of course redemption and maybe the joyful parts are even more important now than ever.
Now this is specifically an Edinburgh Christmas Carol, what do you think that brings to the show?
The traditional dourness of the old city but especially the dog! Bobby is the star and adored by all the children!
How have you found your inner Ebenezer? Have any parts you’ve played before helped?
Inner Ebenezer? Is there such a thing? Or is he just a shell?? I believe all performances are in great part a reflection of the performer – but I do hope I’m not that nasty! I would own up to being insufficiently generous, at least materially. I have played Kirk in ‘Outlying Islands’ who will do nothing without ‘compensation’. And for irascibility, Lord Stanebyres in ‘The Flouers o’ Edinburgh’.
Has anything in the show surprised you since you came on board?
Shouldn’t be a surprise, but with some new faces in the cast it is sometimes strange to hear the same lines but spoken with different rhythms. Also, this time I think Scrooge takes a longer curve to redemption than before, it’s maybe clearer that he’s gradually learning.
What are you most looking forward to, come opening night?
Just seeing the little faces looking up at the snow falling down at the end below the chandelier in our beautiful theatre.
Are there any wee details you’re hoping the audience will catch?
I would love the audience to pick up the really detailed expressions of Greyfriars Bobby and Tiny Tim. And the fantastic work done by all that crew which they don’t see but without whom there would be no Christmas Carol.
If you could choose to be haunted by one of the three ghosts, which would you choose and why?
Oh…tough call—depends what I’m looking for! Nouadays for a laugh, but Lang Syne for a date!
Christmas Theatre 2022 will be one of the most crucial festive seasons in stage history. TheQR is talking to as many of those making theatre in the UK this year as possible, to play a small part in raising their profile, and opportunities for a successful run. Though many of us face a tough winter, financially speaking, a magical night of theatre offers a (warm) escape for a few hours, and, if you have the expendable income available, will help support the livelihoods of those who keep that magic alive.
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