For lovers of imaginative performance art, theatre, and classic tales retold, this is for you!
This December, get ready for a holiday performance like no other as A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol returns to Victoria from December 18th to 21st at the McPherson Playhouse.
The acclaimed theatrical group WONDERHEADS, known for their breathtaking visual storytelling, will reimagine Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale with a magical twist—giant, whimsical 10-feet tall puppets, and inventive theatrics that are sure to delight audiences of all ages.
And it’s all done without dialogue! How’s that for creativity?
When asked where it all began, co-founder Kate Braidwood told Victoria Buzz that WONDERHEADS began with herself and Andrew Phoenix in 2009, and their debut production of Grim Reaper at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.
Inspired by the visual storytelling of Pixar and Studio Ghibli, Braidwood and Phoenix developed their distinctive style at the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in California, blending full-face masks and puppetry into their creations.
“Originally it started with the two of us wearing all the hats; we were the actors, designers, directors, prop-makers, mask-makers; you name it, we did it!” Braidwood said.
“Now the company has grown to a point at which we have teams of sometimes 15 people working on a show such as ‘A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol‘. We’ve also grown to incorporate a myriad of puppetry styles to go along with our signature mask style.”
The WONDERHEADS have earned rave reviews from the CBC, who called their work “Pure magic,” and the Globe and Mail, which described it as “Powerful, surprising, and moving.”
Now in its fifth year of touring, A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is no exception to these reviews, and has become a beloved holiday tradition for thousands of theatre-goers across Canada!
“Dickens is known as one of the world’s greatest wordsmiths, so we know it was a bit cheeky to undertake an adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ that contains no dialogue,” Braidwood shared.
“But what drew us to this story is what lies beyond the words—it’s the richly drawn characters, the whimsical imagery, and the heart of the story—a timeless tale about the importance of empathy, kindness and generosity.”
Prepare for a whirlwind of laughter, tears, and plenty of heartwarming moments as you join Scrooge on his journey through time and transformation.
Starring a talented cast of performers, including Braidwood, Pedro M. Siqueira, Sarah Robertson, and Emily Case, A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is adapted and directed by Phoenix and Braidwood.
Developed in ensemble with Jessica Hickman, the show promises to be a truly enchanting experience for both children and adults alike.
Whether you’ve seen the story a dozen times or this will be your first introduction to Scrooge’s redemption, this unique retelling with its jaw-dropping visual effects is guaranteed to leave you spellbound.
Ticket prices will vary by seat selection, but they start at $40 and can be purchased here.
A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol
- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
- When: Wednesday, December 18th to Saturday, December 21st—showtimes vary
