A Bowen Christmas tradition continues this year in support of the Food Bank.
Actor and director Martin Clarke is well known for being an integral part of the island theatre scene, including decades of appearing in local Shakespeare productions and being a cornerstone of the annual reading of a Christmas Carol come the holidays. Clarke has been behind another longstanding holiday event too – the December reading of A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, which has now taken place for around 35 years.
The tale of a small town boy and his Christmas adventures had a humble beginning here on Bowen. Clarke would visit the Shaw Family for Christmas and read the story to everyone who gathered (he notes they were a large family so he had a good audience from the start.)
“We did that for several years and then later on I decided I’d really like to let the community know more about it,” says Clarke. He asked Joan Hayes of Snug Café if the popular coffee shop might be available for a nighttime reading. She was more than happy to host the evening reading, also providing drinks for those who came to listen.
“It was very cozy. We used to cram people in, about 40 or more. I really enjoyed it there,” says Clarke.
Martin’s reading continued to prove quite popular and the audience continued to grow, so much so that the venue has recently shifted to the United Church and its more spacious pews. The new location has proved to be a good storytelling setting.
“I like reading in churches, it’s great because the whole setup is for reading and listening, for somebody out front and other people looking and listening,” explains Clarke of why he enjoys the reading’s new home.
This year A Child’s Christmas in Wales reading takes place on Sunday, December 22 at 7 pm. The event is free but a donation to help support the Bowen Island Food Bank is much appreciated.
“I thank all these people who have been so kind and generous and given me their places for doing the theatre,” says Clarke, also noting one-time venues such as the Museum and even a virtual performance during the pandemic.
“Some people come every year for this, they really love it.”
