Neptune’s annual one-man show, starring Ebenezer Scrooge
Posted Dec 21, 2019 09:12:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Rhys Bevan-John says by the time he gets home at the end of the day, he's often a “husk” of a human.
But that's only because of how much energy he puts into his performances at Neptune Theatre.
“I think it's a pretty good trade off because what I get to do is I get to be a little part of Christmas for a lot of people,” says Bevan-John.
The actor is portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in Jeremy Webb's adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. But in this show, Bevan-John is the one and only actor.
“If you come and see the show it's a one-man version of a Christmas Carol. I'm leaping around and saying a lot and doing a lot,” he tells NEWS 95.7's The Todd Veinotte Show.
This is Bevan-John's fifth year as Scrooge, but he still looks forward to putting on the show every year.
“I genuinely enjoy it. I have a lot of fun,” he explains. “I am in service to Christmas, to spend my time and my energy to help create a nice Christmas experience for a lot of families.”
Technically, Bevan-John isn't alone on stage. Puppeteer Simon Henderson will control the three ghosts that Scrooge encounters throughout the age-old tale.
“He's a big part of the show” adds Bevan-John. “A one man show is a bit of a misnomer because there is another guy kind of floating around, and it wouldn't be the same show without him.”
When Jeremy Webb first wrote the one-man-play in 2003, he performed it himself. Webb will have another chance to play the main role later this month, during an extra show that was added due to ticket demand.
“Two more performances have just been added on the 29,” explains Bevan-John. “I'm doing the performance in the afternoon, the matinee, and then Mr. Jeremy Webb is dusting off his nightcap and he's going to be doing a version of the show in the evening.”
With his grey hair and mutton chops, Bevan-John says it's not hard to get into the role of Scrooge.
“At this point I feel quite familiar with Scrooge. He's like an old glove I can slip on,” he says.
But after the show ends, Bevan-John takes off his gritty persona and mingles in the lobby with the audience. He often encounters people who have never been to a play before.
“I get men in their 50s who say oh I've never been to a theatre show before, I've never been to Neptune before and this is my first show,” he says. “It always feels really special to feel like you're part of their introduction to the live theatre.”
While five years of the same role may make some actors sleepy, Bevan-John is still trying to make each performance unique.
“For me, it's all about curiosity. Being genuinely curious about what is this character feeling in this moment? And what is that character feeling in this moment? What is this audience feeling in this moment? And really trying to inject as much presence and curiosity and vulnerability into each moment,” he explains. “It's a matter of wanting to keep it fresh myself and also for the audience.”
The story itself — originally written in 1843 — somehow stays relevant year after year. Bevan-John thinks it's relatable for everyone who works too hard and values themselves on their productivity.
“Here is this story of a guy who has literally sacrificed everything he could in order to win capitalism, in order to get as much money as possible,” he says. “And this is the story of him learning why that wasn't really the game we're all playing here. The actual game that you should be playing is the game of being a good human.”
For tickets to Neptune's version of A Christmas Carol, visit their website.
