Review: The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol

Posted by Curtain Up! on Dec 02, 2025

Photography: RDGPhotography | left: Kate Gleason as Thelma, right: Erik Sandvold as Gordon

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Caroll has crash-landed at the Aurora Fox Arts Center. Under Richard R. Cowden’s gleeful direction, Dickens’ holiday classic becomes a madcap romp of missed cues, audience participation, and overzealous enthusiasm. Written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr., this zany send-up offers audiences a hilariously skewed glimpse into the triumphs and tribulations of local theatre, where every disaster somehow becomes part of the fun.

The holiday chaos is part of the larger Farndale series by McGillivray and Zerlin Jr., which started at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1976 with Macbeth and has since satirized everything from murder mysteries (Checkmate Manor) to operetta (The Mikado). Each play features the clumsy Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society enthusiastically tackling a classic with comic mishaps, making A Christmas Carol just one among many joyful parodies in their long-running lineup.

In Farndale Christmas Carol, the indomitable Mrs. Reece (Kathy Trageser) leads her fellow Townswomen’s Guild members—Thelma (Kate Gleason), Felicity (Kate Poling), Mercedes (David Stallings), and Gordon (Erik Sandvold)—through their well‑intentioned but hilariously misguided attempt to stage Dickens’ holiday classic. With mistimed entrances, playfully uneven character portrayals, and lighthearted audience interaction woven into the fun, the Guild’s determination reshapes A Christmas Carol into a cheerful comedy of holiday mishaps.

The strength of this Farndale Christmas Carol lies with its exemplary local cast of accomplished favorites, each bringing comic precision to the Guild’s misadventures. At the center, Kathy Trageser delivers a masterful turn as Mrs. Reece, the ringleader whose blend of officious authority and sly wit sets the evening’s tone. From her hilarious opening interaction—explaining to the audience the “unavoidable” delay in starting the program—Trageser commands the stage with impeccable timing and a knowing wink, transforming what could be mere exposition into a sparkling comic overture. Her performance anchors the chaos, ensuring that every subsequent blunder feels like part of a carefully orchestrated joke shared between cast and audience.

Kate Gleason shines as Thelma, the troupe’s self‑appointed prima donna, delivering her lines with exaggerated flair that perfectly skewers the stereotype of the overconfident amateur star. Kate Poling brings lively energy to Felicity, whose nervous charm and comic timing make her missteps both charming and hilarious. David Stallings, playing Mercedes, gamely steps into the chaos despite an injury that prevents a full-on performance—his commitment and presence add a layer of poignancy to the comedy. And especially wonderful is Erik Sandvold as Gordon, the Guild’s only male presence, whose earnest sincerity and perfect comic instincts anchor the mayhem—his every entrance and exit a masterclass in turning haplessness into hilarity.

Director Richard R. Cowden serves the “play within a play” concept with deft comic timing, guiding the Guild’s misadventures so that the chaos always feels intentional and inviting. His staging keeps the farce brisk and buoyant, ensuring that the production’s brief 90‑minute runtime is packed with action, absurdity, and sly theatrical in‑jokes. Under his direction, Farndale Christmas Carol becomes not just a parody of Dickens but a celebration of the unpredictable joys of live theatre, where every mishap is transformed into laughter.

The design elements highlight the comedic spirit of Farndale Christmas Carol, balancing functionality and fun. Scenic designer Brian Watson provides a practical backdrop that cleverly frames the Guild’s mishaps without detracting from the actors’ antics. Costume designer Susan Rahmsdorff‑Terry amplifies the parody with costumes that exaggerate character quirks while referencing Dickensian tradition. Meanwhile, Brett Maughan’s lighting design emphasizes the chaos with sharp cues and festive accents, ensuring that every mistake lands with maximum comic impact.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol thrives under Richard R. Cowden’s deft direction and the excellent ensemble cast who bring every comic mishap to life with precision and joy. What might easily collapse into chaos instead becomes a spirited celebration of theatre itself, where earnest performances and playful absurdity keep audiences laughing from start to finish.

This delightfully skewed holiday parody, appropriate for all ages, runs through December 21 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, offering a festive dose of farce that’s as warm as it is hilarious.

Information and tickets: https://www.aurorafoxartscenter.org/onstage/farndale-christmas-carol

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