An actor who was portraying the ghost of Jacob Marley and Mr. Fezziwig in an Edmonton theatre company’s production of “A Christmas Carol” died during a performance of the holiday classic, the company says.
Citadel Theatre’s executive director and its artistic director say in a statement that “beloved cast member” Julien Arnold passed away during Sunday’s performance of the play.
They thanked their front-of-house team, medical professionals from the audience and EMS for acting swiftly.
There were no further details, and the statement says they are asking for privacy as they turn their attention to supporting family members, the “Christmas Carol” company, staff and patrons.
The statement called Arnold a cherished member of the Edmonton theatre community, whose presence “brought joy, heart and depth to every role.”
It notes there will be minor scheduling changes for the play, and that box office staff will contact ticket holders with changes to performance dates.
“Julien was a gifted performer whose charisma and talent graced our stage in countless productions, including A Christmas Carol,” Citadel Theatre said in a separate post on Facebook.
The post further said that in his honour, this season’s run of “A Christmas Carol” is dedicated to his memory, and it included a link to a GoFundMe campaign to support his family. The fundraiser had raised more than $40,000 by Tuesday morning.
It also included photos of Arnold in various productions over the years, including as Bob Crachit in “A Christmas Carol” in 2009, the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz,” also in 2009, and as Cogsworth in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” in 2010.