The 40th Christmas Revels, running through December 29 at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, celebrates its anniversary with Revels, Inc.’s surefire combination of longtime favorites and fresh surprises.
This year’s show riffs on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Revels Artistic Director Patrick Swanson sets the festivities back in the 1920s as the 10th Duke of Rutland and his family visit Haddon Hall, his ancestral seat, just before it is to be demolished for a highway. Quickly, however, the ghosts of past dukes and their retinues materialize and re-enact their Christmas/Solstice songs, dances and skits to convince the current duke that this hallowed hall and its “spirited” traditions are worth preserving.
This motif of all the centuries partying together inspired Revel’s costume designer Heidi Anne Hermiller to blend detailed finery from the medieval, Renaissance, Victorian and early 20th century periods. Set designer Jeremy Barnett debuts a new Haddon Hall set, paying tribute to the real Derbyshire estate that inspired much of Revels imagery over the decades.
Though the production features all the company’s tent pole numbers like “The Lord of Dance” dancing out to intermission and the climactic “Sussex Mummers’ Carol,” 70 percent of the music is new to this edition of the Revels, according to Music Director George Emlen. This year’s edition also seems to offer the most sing-along opportunities ever.
Among other anniversary updates: Revels is offering a CD of this particular show, marking the first time it had the music of one of its productions available for sale at the event. Revels has always been known for its well-annotated programs. This year’s keepsake features color graphics throughout and retrospective pages with 40 photos from past shows.
Finally, the St. George and the Dragon play debuts a show-stopping dragon puppet/costume in high tech red and black fabric, created by Jane Hillier-Walkowiak, Associate Professor at Salem State College.
There are seven post-Christmas performances of this special Revels, a great way to prolong that nostalgic holiday feeling through New Years. Sanders Box Office 617-496-2222.
