Mr Scrooge
Oct. 23rd, 2012 10:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
barnabas_trumanI have received word that Martin Harris, best known for playing the role of Mr Scrooge at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair for quite a long while, has passed away.
His post-redemption scenes towards the end of every day were always one of my favorite parts of Dickens. The sheer joy he exuded brought a smile to everyone and gave genuine meaning to "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy."
He was quite a musical fellow as well. I always looked forward to his renditions of "Fishfingers" and "Cornish Lads" at the December chantey sing. At Old Town Sacramento a year and a half ago I was surprised to learn that he played the spoons--and equally surprised when he leapt into my lap during a tune to play along.
During the Old Town gig, he dressed as a miner and wandered the streets telling stories to anyone who would listen. Whatever the story, each seemed to end with the same moral, a sentiment he often expressed as Redeemed Scrooge as well: "Don't spend money on the people you love. Spend time with them." That, I think, is the most important part of him to remember. Go out and tell his story; let it echo far and wide.
His post-redemption scenes towards the end of every day were always one of my favorite parts of Dickens. The sheer joy he exuded brought a smile to everyone and gave genuine meaning to "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy."
He was quite a musical fellow as well. I always looked forward to his renditions of "Fishfingers" and "Cornish Lads" at the December chantey sing. At Old Town Sacramento a year and a half ago I was surprised to learn that he played the spoons--and equally surprised when he leapt into my lap during a tune to play along.
During the Old Town gig, he dressed as a miner and wandered the streets telling stories to anyone who would listen. Whatever the story, each seemed to end with the same moral, a sentiment he often expressed as Redeemed Scrooge as well: "Don't spend money on the people you love. Spend time with them." That, I think, is the most important part of him to remember. Go out and tell his story; let it echo far and wide.
