Charles Dickens Descendent Performs at Ventfort Hall

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LENOX, Mass. — The great-great-grandson of the literary legend Charles Dickens, British actor Gerald Charles Dickens returns to Ventfort Hall this time to present his one-man theatrical performance of his ancestor's classic works in "Mr. Dickens Is Coming!" on Sunday, Sept. 21 in both a matinee at 2 pm and an evening performance at 7 pm. 
 
A tea will follow the matinee performance. 
 
This is a one-man show written and performed by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens. 
 
The show features Gerald Dickens embodying his ancestor and bringing to life characters and excerpts from Charles Dickens' works, as well as offering a 21st-century perspective. Inspired by Charles Dickens' own readings of his works, particularly A Christmas Carol, this performance includes excerpts from novels, characters, letters, and diary entries, all delivered with a unique flair by this gifted storyteller.  The show often aims to recreate the atmosphere of Charles Dickens's original performances, transporting audiences back in time to experience his stories in a period setting. 
 
Gerald Dickens has been performing one-man stage shows based on the life and works of his ancestor for over twenty years, undertaking major tours of both the UK and America each year. In 1993 he created his first one-man show, a theatrical performance of "A Christmas Carol" inspired by Charles' own energetic readings of the 1860s. A fascination with the life and works of his great-great grandfather led him to write and direct further one-man shows including "Mr. Dickens is Coming!," "Nicholas Nickleby" and "Sketches by Boz."  He regularly performs in major theatres and arts centers as well as at hotels and stately homes.  He has appeared at several arts and literary festivals in the UK and has been entertaining cruise ship passengers worldwide since 2007.
 
Tickets for the matinee at 2 pm, which includes a tea following the performance, are $75. Tickets for the evening performance at 7 pm are $50. Reservations are required and can be made on our website at https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or by calling (413) 637-3206. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
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Marionette Shows At Ventfort Hall for Children

LENOX, Mass. — The puppeteer Carl Sprague will return to Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and Museum in Lenox with Rapunzel for two holiday vacation week marionette performances. 
 
The dates and times are Saturday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Dec. 29, both at 3:30 pm. The audiences will have the opportunity to meet Sprague after.
 
Sprague, who has appeared annually at Ventfort Hall with his "behind the scenery" mastery, has been a puppeteer since childhood.  He inherited a collection of 60 antique Czech marionettes, each about eight inches tall that were assembled by his great-grandfather, Julius Hybler.  Hybler's legacy also includes two marionette theaters. 
 
Also, Sprague has been a set designer for such motion pictures as "The Royal Tenenbaums" and Scorcese's "The Age of Innocence," as well as for theater productions including those of Shakespeare & Company. 
 
Admission to the show is $20 per person; $10 for children 4-17 and free for age 3 and under. Children must be accompanied by adults.  Ventfort Hall is decorated for the holidays. Reservations are required as seating is limited and can be made on line at https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or by calling (413) 637-3206. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
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