TUSCUMBIA-Famed storyteller Dolores Hydock is joining Tuscumbia’s It’s a Dickens Christmas, Y’all this year with a special storytelling program at Locust Hill.
Hydock will present “NO HUMBUG! The Surprising True Story Behind the Creation of A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, December 14, at 11 am. She researched and wrote this program specifically for Tuscumbia’s annual beloved Christmas event.
“The program will be the “debut” of this new story, which includes information about Dickens’ young life, how he got started writing his novels, the surprising “sledge-hammer” that inspired his Christmas story, and how the celebration of Christmas has changed since the time when the book was first written,” Hydock said. “You’ll even hear how Napoleon Bonaparte had a hand in changing the course of Dickens’ life and career!”
Locust Hill is located at 209 S. Cave Street in Tuscumbia.
Dolores Hydock
The event is hosted by Colbert County Tourism and Singing River Literacy Council. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at No Humbug! The Surprising True Story Behind the Creation of A Christmas Carol By Dolores Hydock or at the Colbert County Tourism Bureau, 719 US-72 in Tuscumbia.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Hydock, an accomplished actress and storyteller from Birmingham, Alabama, is known for her vivacious stage presence and a palette of characters that bring to life personal stories, medieval adventures, oral histories, and literary classics. With a diverse background ranging from a blues DJ to an acting teacher, Dolores promises a performance full of wit, energy, and laughter.
“When we think of “A Dickens Christmas,” we usually think of the kind of Christmas that might have been celebrated in England in the mid-1800s: a blazing fireplace, plum pudding with a sprig of holly stuck on top, rosy-cheeked carolers in long scarves and top hats, a horse-drawn carriage clip-clopping along cobblestone streets – it’s the kind of Christmas depicted in countless versions of Dickens’ most beloved story, “A Christmas Carol,” Hydock said.
“Come discover the surprising and little-known backstory of how Dickens was inspired to write his “little Carol,” and what happened to the story – and to Christmas – once “A Christmas Carol” made its way into the world. The program ends with a reading from the story — the charming scene where the Cratchit family prepares their Christmas meal. It’s a lovely picture of a warm, jolly, loving family celebrating a special day — a great way to bring the Spirit of Christmas Present out of hiding!”
Susann Hamlin, Executive Director of Colbert County Tourism, said she is delighted to help host this event.
“Colbert County Tourism is thrilled to partner with Singing River Literacy Council to host a new event for the 14th annual It’s a Dickens Christmas, Yall,” Hamlin said. “Dolores is a very popular storyteller, and we are delighted she has researched and written a new program just for us, taking us behind the scenes as Dickens wrote his famous Christmas Carol. We hope you can join us at Locust Hill this Saturday at 11 am for a lovely hour with Dolores Hydock as she presents the compelling true story behind a legendary Christmas tale.”
Media Release/Maryanne Floyd
Director of Communications
Colbert County Tourism
