Ronnie Burkett

Little Dickens

November 27 to December 9, 2023
Opening Night November 28
Auburn Stage
Little Dickens

Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes

Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes without an intermission. 

Content Advisory: This production contains strong language, explicit sexuality, audience participation, and mature content.

Age Requirement: Guests under the age of 16 will not be admitted.

Little Dickens

Upcoming Shows & Tickets

DARN! Little Dickens is a hit, and your selected performance may be sold out – but please contact the box office at 519-672-8800 to add your name to our waitlist.

The Story

In this raucous, adults-only holiday treat, internationally acclaimed and multi-award-winning puppeteer Ronnie Burkett reimagines the timeless classic A Christmas Carol for a madly-merry, marionette mash-up.
Using uniquely-handcrafted characters, seasonal singalongs, cabaret performances, wild improvisations, and (mandatory!) audience participation, Burkett tells the story of Esmé Scrooge, a fading actress and her bumpy path to redemption. 

Have yourself a naughty little Christmas at the Grand Theatre, as Canada’s master puppeteer pulls just the right strings to show audiences the true meaning of the season… or at least one hilarious version of it! 

Enhance Your Experience

AfterWORDS

On select Wednesday evenings, immediately after the performance, join host Danielle Dixon in the Auburn Stage for a brief guided discussion with guest artists, creative team members, and Grand staff members.

From the Stage Door

“Hysterically funny and often very naughty!” - Montreal Gazette

“Ronnie Burkett’s Little Dickens is a retelling of A Christmas Carol but with more bah-hum-buggery, fewer heartwarming lessons in morality, and a whole lot of excellent banter.” - Vancouver Weekly

“This show tickled me, so I heartily recommend that you unleash your cheeky side and go watch Little Dickens” - The Vancouver Arts Review

“With potty-mouthed, clothes-stripping puppets, ‘Little Dickens’ is a risqué and riotously hilarious twist on a classic Christmas tale.” - The Toronto Start

 

The Cast

RONNIE BURKETT
RONNIE BURKETT
Creator and Performer
Ronnie Burkett has been captivated by puppetry since the age of seven and began touring his shows around Alberta at the age of fourteen. Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes was formed in 1986, continuously playing on Canada’s major stages, and as a guest company on numerous tours abroad. Ronnie received the 2009 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, The Herbert Whittaker Drama Bench Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Theatre, a Village Voice OBIE award, and four Citations of Excellence from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette. In 2019, Ronnie Burkett was appointed as an Officer of The Order of Canada.

Creative Team

RONNIE BURKETT
RONNIE BURKETT
Creator and Performer
Ronnie Burkett has been captivated by puppetry since the age of seven and began touring his shows around Alberta at the age of fourteen. Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes was formed in 1986, continuously playing on Canada’s major stages, and as a guest company on numerous tours abroad. Ronnie received the 2009 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, The Herbert Whittaker Drama Bench Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Theatre, a Village Voice OBIE award, and four Citations of Excellence from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette. In 2019, Ronnie Burkett was appointed as an Officer of The Order of Canada.
JOHN ALCORN
JOHN ALCORN
Music Arrangements and Production
John Alcorn is one of Canada’s premiere jazz vocalists, delivering his distinctive renditions of jazz standards on the most prestigious bandstands and concert stages across Canada. His list of citations and acknowledgements in music and theatre include both Jazz Report (Male Vocalist of the Year) and Dora (Outstanding Music) awards. As composer, lyricist, musical director, arranger and producer, he has collaborated with numerous significant Canadian theatre artists, including Daniel MacIvor, Deanne Taylor, Sky Gilbert, Theresa Tova, and Tomson Highway, and eight collaborations with Theatre of Marionettes.
CRYSTAL SALVERDA
CRYSTAL SALVERDA
Stage Manager
With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, Crystal has been blessed to work both across the country and internationally stage managing some wonderful productions. She has had the pleasure of working with Ronnie fo the past 11 years. She has also worked with companies such as Blyth Festival, Kidoons Network, Calgary Stampede, Necessary Angel, Soulpepper Theatre, Canadian Stage, Harold Green Jewish Theatre, just to name a few. Other work experience includes Operations for Field of Dreams and Little League Classic (BaAM Productions), Sales Manager (Westsun), Concert Stage Manager (Marquis Entertainment).
Program Tickets