A Christmas Carol is one of the most celebrated Christmas stories of all time. The transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a grouchy holiday hater to gift-giving saint-to-be is as iconic as any other.
In timing with the season, Halifax-based podcast Afternoon Pint have delivered a holiday special worthy of the timeless story, a reimagining of the tale in a form unlike any other the podcast has taken: scripted.
Adapted by podcast co-host Mike Tobin, the radio play shifts Charles Dicken’s story forward with comedy and commentary, revitalizing themes from the original that still fit within our modern understanding: economic pressures, social divisions, and the menial but lasting impacts of everyday cruelties.
While Afternoon Pint usually consists of long-form interviews with guests about culture, current events and life in Atlantic Canada, the scripted format allows hosts Tobin and Matt Conrad to explore the character of Ebenezer Scrooge—not as a cartoon villain, but as a person shaped by accumulated choices: rationalizations, small refusals, and emotional distance. Comedy isn’t used to deflect these aspects of Scrooge and his story, but instead work to sharpen the overall message.
With Tobin taking on the role of Scrooge, Conrad voices the three Ghosts of Christmas. They are also joined by several actors In a release from the podcast, they explain the purpose of the apparitions and their impact on Scrooge.
“The Ghost of Christmas Past focuses on memory and how early experiences influence long-term behaviour. The Present highlights the practical impact of generosity, centering on family, dignity, and survival through a difficult winter. The Future delivers a more direct warning: when people refuse to change, systems eventually change around them.”
The show also features local actors and filmmakers Connor Locke, Lewis Coverdale, Laura Flemming and Elijah Boulton, with their Dicken’s adaptation followed by two originals and a song, to boot.
Steve ‘Chip’ Cipollone from Don’t Overthink It provides a story of what some may consider the impossible—the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup—a miracle if there ever was one. Flemming provides a haunting Christmas tale about an abandoned home called “The Foggy House,” an exploration of grief and putting meaning into places. The podcast wraps with a song from artist Christina Martin called “Sex, Drugs, and Christmas Time.”
Afternoon Pint has several other projects planned for 2026, including a new series called Computer Saves World, exploring tech, society, and humanity in a satirical, philosophical way. Keep an eye on their social media for updates on their new projects.