Little Dickens
By Ronnie Burkett Theatre Of Marionettes
“We need a beautiful cry and a belly laugh to anchor us to our humanity.” Ronnie Burkett
“Burkett is a legend of Canadian Theatre…a total force,” Intermission Magazine
Victoria, BC...From December 2 - 21, 2025, the Belfry Theatre, in partnership with Intrepid Theatre, will present Ronnie Burkett’s Little Dickens. In Little Dickens, the cast of The Daisy Theatre takes on the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, in the merriest marionette mash-up ever.
Faded Daisy diva, Esmé Massengill, plays the role of miserly, drunken, bitter Esmé Scrooge, in this Burkett-esque retelling of the Dickens classic.
As always with an improvised Daisy show, there is no set script, and in the journey of Esmé Scrooge toward redemption, she encounters all the Daisy favourites portraying Dickens’ familiar characters.
“Hysterically funny and often very naughty” Montreal Gazette
In keeping with the vaudeville show theme of The Daisy Theatre, popular Christmas songs will feature in a burlesque opening, sultry jazz solos, and the merriment of Fezziwig’s party.
“…risqué and riotously hilarious.” Toronto Star
A raucous, adults-only holiday treat, Little Dickens holds true to the heart of A Christmas Carol by featuring The Daisy Theatre’s most iconic and beloved character, Schnitzel, as Tiny Tim.
It’s an R-rated affair, strictly for audiences 16 and older.
In 2009, Burkett received the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre for design. In 2015, Burkett was the recipient of the Distinguished Artist Award from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards for his contributions to the arts in Alberta.
In June 2019, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 2024, he received the Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.
Why I Chose This Play
Ronnie Burkett is a one-of-a-kind—a national treasure. He mesmerizes and amazes me every time I see his work—! As a Christmas Carol aficionado—this is a version I could never have imagined—it’s wild and out-of-control. Half the fun is watching Ronnie work his magic, the other half is enjoying the shock of this irreverent, lascivious circus—! Michael Shamata
Ticket Information
We are offering Pay-What-You-Want tickets for all performances this season. Tickets are available at 250-385-6815 or online at tix.belfry.bc.ca.
Show Sponsors
Little Dickens is generously sponsored by Horne Coupar, Metropol, and Used.ca.
Season Sponsors
The Belfry is generously supported by BMO (Access Partner), The Times Colonist, and Helijet.
Public Funders
The Belfry is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of BC, the BC Arts Council, CRD Arts Development, and the City of Victoria.
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Mark Dusseault