A Memorable Trip to the Akademie der Künste: „A Christmas Carol“ Comes to Life

The trip of our senior classes to the Akademie der Künste in Berlin was nothing short of magical. The highlight of our visit was a brilliant stage performance of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Performed entirely in English, the production captivated our students from start to finish with its humor, emotion, and holiday spirit.

The stage setup was surprisingly simple, with only a few props and modest lighting effects. But it didn’t matter—the actors worked their magic and activated our imaginations. Whether it was Scrooge sitting in his gloomy counting house or the Cratchit family squeezing around their meager Christmas feast, we were right there with them, thanks to the sheer energy of the performers.

Scrooge himself was a scene-stealer from the start, barking at charity workers and groaning at Christmas carolers. At one point, his famous “Bah, humbug!” had us all grinning—even if he sounded like some of our grumpier classmates on a Monday morning.

The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come were equally unforgettable. The Ghost of Christmas Past appeared in a white dress, taking Scrooge (and us) on a journey to his bittersweet childhood memories. The Ghost of Christmas Present, bursting with joy and color, reminded us of the importance of generosity and togetherness. But it was the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come that truly gave us chills—a silent, shadowy figure that revealed Scrooge’s potential fate if he continued down his selfish path.

The entire performance was a rollercoaster of emotions. We laughed with Bob Cratchit, cheered for Tiny Tim, and felt the pang of regret as Scrooge confronted his past misdeeds. The dialogue, though in English, was easy to follow, and the actors’ expressive delivery brought every scene to life.

At the play’s conclusion, Scrooge’s transformation filled the theatre with joy. But it was the curtain call that truly brought the evening to a touching close. All the actors entered the stage together, smiling and waving to the audience. They encouraged us to turn to our neighbors, look them in the eye, and say, “Merry Christmas.” The moment was simple but profoundly moving—it reminded us that the true spirit of Christmas lies in connection and kindness.

As we stepped out into the crisp Berlin air, we couldn’t help but feel a little lighter—maybe because of the play, maybe because of all the laughter. If nothing else, Scrooge’s journey reminded us that it’s never too late to change, and the holidays are the perfect time to start.

So, here’s to the actors for making us laugh, the teachers for dragging us out of our usual routines, and to all of you: Merry Christmas! Now go look your neighbor in the eye and say it—you might just make their day.

EIne kurze deutschsprachige Zusammenfassung

Am 11.12.2024 unternahm der 12. Jahrgang gemeinsam mit einzelnen Schülerinnen des 11. Jahrgangs einen Ausflug nach Berlin, um die „Akademie der Künste“ zu besuchen.

(Luis Schäfer)