Dec
15
Jay O’Callahan stars in Christmas Revels
Filed Under EN
What a treat to see Marshfield resident and acclaimed storyteller Jay O’Callahan in the current production of The Christmas Revels at Sanders Theater in Cambridge. The Revels opened Friday and runs through Dec. 27. One of the key actors, O’Callahan is in top form as Everyman, on a journey to the Galicia region of Spain.
I hadn’t been to the Revels in years and was excited to rediscover its encompassing sense of community and exuberant holiday spirit, superb music and dancing.
The production also features musician and songleader David Coffin, a delight in drawing in the audience; gaita (Spanish bagpipe) player Christa Patton; Salome’ Sandoval and the Pilgrim Band; actor Billy Meleady; The Pinewoods Morris Men; the Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble, the Revels Chorus and Mexican actress Angelica Aragon.
The scene is Galicia in Northern Spain, which the Revels program describes as “an area with a strong sense of Celtic identity where, since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have walked the Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James).” The cathedral city of Santiago de Compostelam is the rumored burial place of the Apostle James and has long been a pilgrimage destination.
The story follows Everyman, a allegorical character summoned by a mysterious figure who tells him his days are numbered. He must go on a journey to the end of the earth to be there for the shortest day.
O’Callahan, who is 75, is remarkable. He thoroughly enjoy himself as he tells his magical stories with robust energy. Near the end, he recites the poem, The Shortest Day, written for Revels by Susan Cooper in 1977, and a traditional part of Revels performances throughout the country. When the poem is finished, the audience all shout “Welcome Yule!”
When the show was over, after a standing ovation, there he was, in the main hallway, telling the departing audience, “Thank you for coming.”
Thank you, master storyteller.
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