I've written about the Toronto Civic Light Opera Company's audiobooks before as they produced productions of the first three Oz books, but they're moving on to other classics. First up is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, just in time for its 180th anniversary.
The Company is still using MP3CD as their distribution format with DRM-free mp3 files being present on a CD. Some CD players can play these right away, or you can use a computer to play back or copy to a mobile device, or you can use a disc player in your home theater to play them.
It'd be very surprising if anyone reading this didn't know the story, but just in case, A Christmas Carol opens on a Christmas Eve during the mid-19th century as moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge runs business at his counting house. Concerned only with his money, he refuses to donate to charity or celebrate the holiday with his nephew. However, that night, Scrooge is warned by the ghost of his deceased partner, Jacob Marley, that he will be visited by three spirits, who show him visions of the situations that shaped him into who he is, how he is regarded in the present, and how his choices will affect the future. Its themes are still shockingly relevant after almost two centuries.
As might be surmised from the name of the company, they are based in Canada. The production is done via Joe narrating and the cast of the company performing dialogue as their characters. In addition, sound effects, music and vocal effects (such as characters laughing) are included to make the story more immersive. What might knock it down for some listeners is that the cast doesn't do British accents, they perform with their own accents. I can't claim none of them are doing voices as I'm not familiar with all of them, but they don't attempt to sound British. Which honestly, that's fine, but some listeners might prefer voices that match where the story is set.
Over all, this is another good option for audio book listeners who want to enjoy an audio version of Dickens' classic.
The CD is packaged in a jewel case featuring a color front image that appears to be from one the company's live productions of a play based on the story. The back lists the music used in the production and the cast, while the four-page booklet also includes a track list, some information about the story and production and photos of the cast.
To get a copy, visit http://joetunes.ca
