Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is an iconic tale spanning generations. When one thinks of Christmas, they think of Ebenezer Scrooge. A challenging task, then, to bring to life a new version of such a well-loved and multiply adapted classic, but a challenge that Mike Kenny, Tom Bellerby and Derby Theatre certainly rises to this festive season.
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| Photo by Ali Wright |
Our story starts with a dimly lit Victorian street with shop and house fronts lining the stage. Following a beautiful rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, we are introduced to Mr Ebenezer Scrooge himself, played by the captivating Gareth Williams. It quickly becomes clear that Scrooge is a man disillusioned by life and indeed Christmas. We see his lack of generosity, his cutting remarks and his isolated life. This adaptation, whilst being unique in its own way, brilliantly highlights some of Dickens’ most quotable lines which Williams delivers with levels of spite and shock that instantly set the tone for Scrooge’s personality; there were audible gasps from the audience to lines such as if they’re going to die they better do it and decrease the surplus population. Throughout the first few scenes, we are introduced to the surrounding players in Scrooge’s life; his clerk Bob Cratchit and nephew Fred providing a jolly, optimistic juxtaposition to Ebenezer’s vile temperament.
As the store fronts are moved to reveal interior sets, Scrooge arrives home on Christmas Eve night where spooky happenings begin to unnerve him. Without spoiling anything, a particularly fun special effect early in the play had me gripped and ready for the arrival of our ghosts. He is then visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge of the terrible chains he wears forged in life by his greed and misery. He also warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits through the night and our true story begins.
In the remainder of Act One, we meet the Ghost of Christmas past. The creative decision to have this ghost played by a young boy was, I think, a clever one. It serves to highlight how Scrooge is haunted at all times by the ghosts of his childhood and reminds us that bitterness and hate is often born from innocence, neglect and lack of love. Scrooge sees scenes of his life come to life before him including childhoods spent alone in boarding school, the tragic loss of his sister, and later the rise and decline of his romantic relationship with Belle as a young adult. As an audience, we begin to feel a great deal of empathy for Scrooge but also see glimpses of how greed and hatred led to his downfall. The end of Act One is completed by a jolly yet unnerving We Wish You A Merry Christmas and goes out with a literal bang!
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| Photo by Ali Wright |
In Act Two, we first meet The Ghost of Christmas Present. Through this ghost, we see not only Scrooge’s relationship dynamics but the troubles that the other characters are facing; the Cratchit’s lack of fortune and troubles with Tiny Tim, and Fred’s longing for family. Ebenezer clearly begins to feel remorse and physically breaks down at the realisations of life around him and we begin to see him in a real human light. Finally, Scrooge is visited by The Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come; my personal favourite in this production. It is here that the staging, music and performance really come together to create a scary, gripping atmosphere. I LOVED the use of the slowed down carol instrumentals and the physical theatre of the non-speaking spirit. One particular scene encompassed haze, smoke and exciting stage effects to bring the Act to a crescendo! The utter joy of the audience, then, to see Scrooge see the error of his ways and celebrate comes as a wonderful contrast to the pain and realisations we have seen before this point.
Led by Gareth Williams, this cast play multiple roles, play their own instruments, sing AND act their socks off, highlighting their true talent and level of skill. Featuring Oliver Nazareth Aston, John Holy-Roberts, April Nerisda Hudson, Sam Lightfoot-Loftus, Oliver Mawsley, Ali Mylon and Claire Lee Shenfield, this cast are truly sensational and work tirelessly throughout the performance. It was lovely to see some of these actors as returning players to Derby theatre; having duel actors/musicians is something that the theatre appears to specialise in and is certainly something that works with great in their productions. The musical elements and in particular the inclusion of several traditional Christmas carols in this show were perfection, providing festive feels, Christmas nostalgia and at times really creating the tone and tension of key scenes in the play.
A special shout out must also go to the cast of children in the production. They brought utter professionalism, talent and confidence to the stage and really added to the story being told, both as an opposing innocence to Scrooge’s hatred and at times bringing their own sinister atmosphere too.
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| Photo by Ali Wright |
This production manages to bring A Christmas Carol to a modern audience in a traditional and yet relatable way. The story is a fitting reminder to us all of the power of loving one another, positive optimism and of keeping Christmas in our hearts all year long. It remains as relatable now as it was over a century ago when it was written. Whether it is a tale you have viewed in countless different adaptations (hello the Muppets!) or your very first viewing, you are guaranteed to have a very merry Christmas at Derby theatre this winter.
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A Christmas Carol plays at Derby Theatre until Saturday 4th January. Tickets are available from https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/a-christmas-carol/
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