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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December Ghost Tours at Ventfort Hall

LENOX, Mass. — Join Robert Oakes, author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires," who will lead tours through the rooms and halls of the historic estate sharing tales of its alleged hauntings.
 
The tour will take place at 7 pm on Saturday, Dec. 6.
 
This is not an active investigation.
 
Admission is $30 and minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are strongly recommended as tickets are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call 413-637-3206. Note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event.
 
Robert Oakes is an author, teacher, storyteller, and performing songwriter. He has written three books, "The Ghostly Tales of the Berkshires" (2023), "Ghosts of Northwestern New Jersey" (2022), and "Ghosts of the Berkshires" (2020), all published by Arcadia Publishing. 
 
Since 2010, Robert has led ghost storytelling experiences at historic locations in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, including Ventfort Hall and Edith Wharton's The Mount. He has also given talks and readings and led a writing workshop at Arrowhead, home of Herman Melville. 
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