People in recovery from drug and alcohol addictions will take part in a special stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story A Christmas Carol later this month.
The event is being organised by Abbeycare Scotland, one of the nation’s leading residential rehabilitation centres for those with substance use issues, which is based in Erskine.
The 16-strong cast includes people who have been through rehab and are now in recovery, as well as some of the staff who cared for them while they were being treated.
The performance will be preceded by a talk from the author and broadcaster Darren McGarvey on how creativity can help in the recovery process.
Rehearsals for Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), which was adapted for the stage by Abbeycare’s own outreach manager Eddie Clarke, have been taking place since the autumn.
The event, on 16th December at Johnstone Town Hall in Renfrewshire, aims to celebrate people’s recoveries and demonstrate that overcoming addiction is possible.
The event is open to the public, with tickets available to purchase online for only £5 plus a booking fee. It starts at 7.30pm and is only suitable for over-15s.
Published in 1843, A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is transformed into a kinder person after being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve.
The Abbeycare stage version gives the tale a modern twist, with Scrooge being admitted to rehab for alcoholism where he meets people struggling with different forms of addiction.
Clarke wrote the first draft of the script three years ago, but was unable to bring it to the stage at the time due to restrictions in place following the Covid pandemic.
Abbeycare Scotland provides continuous care for people with alcohol and drug addictions under one roof, offering supervised detoxification and rehabilitation.
Its programmes also include harm reduction interventions, counselling, recovery care planning, family support and extensive aftercare to services help people address the issues behind their addictions.
The centre at Erskine Mains House accepts admissions from across Scotland, including both private patients and local authority referrals.
Eddie Clarke, outreach manager of the Abbeycare Group, said: “With the performance only days aways, the cast are getting very excited about bringing Ebenezer Scrooge to life on stage and we can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction.
“A Christmas Carol is ultimately a story about redemption and making things right, themes that so many people who have been affected by drug and alcohol issues can identify with.
“There will no doubt be some nerves among the cast as they prepare for the curtain to go up, but part of recovery is doing things that previously felt impossible, and this is no different.
“With this special performance by Abbeycare staff and some of our former clients, we hope to demonstrate that it’s never too late to change your life for the better.”
Vincent Nash, a former Abbeycare client who will be playing the part of Scrooge, said: “I’m proud to say that I have been chosen to play the lead role in Abbeycare’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol. I love being part of an amazing group of people who have come together to deliver what I’m sure will be a fantastic show.
“I was first introduced to drama therapy whilst in Abbeycare as a client, and when I was asked to take part in the aftercare community’s first ever play, I jumped at the chance.
“Through rehearsals and team meetings, we have created a very strong bond within the group which creates unity and purpose as part of our ongoing recovery journeys.
“As much as I’m really nervous about the show, I’m also excited, and know from past events that the achievement or pride we all feel afterwards is what makes the hard work worthwhile.
“There are many ways to carry the message of recovery, and getting on stage and overcoming my own barriers is hugely beneficial to my self-development.”