The originator. The fabricator. The one and only…Charles Dickens. While he’s no Gonzo, (because everybody loves a furry, blue Charles Dickens this time of year) Jimi Kinstle certainly makes quite the impression as the legendary author, out pitching his wares— and by wares we mean his stories, and by story we mean the popular story associated with Dickens at Christmas time…

“Marley was dead to begin with.” The second most-recognized line in the Dickensian classic, superseded only by “God bless us every one!” And naturally both quotes are present and accounted for in this rendition of the time-honored stage classic. Adapted to the stage in its current rendition by Kimberley Lynne, this one-man show wraps up the essence of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and delivers it with gusto, engaging and captivating the audience as he zips hither and thither around the stage, going from one character to the next.

What’s most interesting about Kinstle’s performance isn’t perhaps the way he shifts readily from one character to the next, each differing from the other— some in more drastic and noticeable ways— but rather the framework that shrouds the piece like a fine wintery morning mist. When Kinstle first takes to the stage, which is sparsely furnished as if he truly were a one-man traveling trunk show touting the motto of ‘have performance; will travel’, he is not the characters in the book, nor does he delve immediately into the text but rathe he presents himself as the author himself— Charles Dickens.

And briefly there is a little fiery soap-boxing where Kinstle’s Dickens get his knickers all in a bunch about copyright. (And this is based in historical fact, which makes it all the more fascinating to behold.) With that lovely tidbit of historical framework underway, Kinstle is off to the races, emulating Charles Dickens in one of his readings of the tale. It’s curious and intriguing to watch him from start to finish. At first the script-ledger is a mere prop, completely and utterly for show as he flashes from character to character that invades the counting house in the opening gambit of the story. Bob Cratchit— the clerk— as well as the portly gentleman collecting for charity, and Scrooge’s nephew Fred all make an appearance in addition to Scrooge himself in this opening scene and Kinstle flits deftly through each exchange, showcasing with gusto how irritated and grouchy the old humbug truly is. And midway through the visit from the Ghost of Christas Present, the script-ledger becomes more actively engaged with the performance. One might imagine this is exactly how Dickens’ himself might have done it— so sprightly and eager-eyed at the beginning of his reading, deep in reading his own words, nose-in-book near the end.

All of the iconic characters are featured and Kinstle has a clever vocal distinction or affectation for each one. His eyes are perpetually animated, even when he is reading from the script-ledger, and his body language often serves as an emotional amplifier for what’s happening in that moment of the story. Kinstle has a well-polished series of English accents and vocal tricks up his proverbial sleeve; everything from cadence and patois in his various deliveries to the well-timed pauses in various characters’ speech patterns. It makes for a really fun watch— almost allowing you to forget that there’s only one actor on stage.

It’s a bold endeavor and a perfect way to experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol whether this is your 100^th production of seeing it, your 4,000^th time reading it or your very first time experiencing it.  

Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes with no intermission

A One-Man Christmas Carol is playing at The Carroll Arts Center on December 19^th 2024, located at 91 W. Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Westminster, MD. Tickets for that event can be purchased at the door or in advance online.

Jimi Kinstle and his One-Man Christmas Carol are also appearing:

December 7^th 2024 at Dickens of a Christmas Festival Chestertown at 1:00PM

301 High Street Chestertown, MD 21620 (this event is free)

 

December 14^th 2024 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at 4:00PM

213 N. Talbot St, Saint Michaels, MD 21663 (this event is free)