A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is a musical with music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens. The musical is based on Charles Dickens' most well known story of the same name. The cruel miser Ebenezer Scrooge forsakes all gestures of goodwill and companionship to pass yet another Christmass alone. He is forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead to his Past, Present and Future. This offers him a chance for salvation which sees him greeting Christmas Morning most cheerfully before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him.

The Society usually perform at The Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield but it is closed for refurbishment. Fortunately, Chesterfield has The Winding Wheel which orininally was a cinema with a ballroom and restaurant and in the late 80's was restored as a conference and entertainment venue. This would prove to be a challenge for the Society as the facilities are very different from those at The Pomegranate but Hansel D'Roza came to the rescue regarding the staging in that he designed and constructed a most elaborate, innovative and functional set for the large expanse of the stage area.

The scene was set by the singing of carols in the Foyer by a group of splendidly dressed performers who continued their singing later, in the hall. The opening scene was very busy with people bustling about on Christmas Eve wishing everyone 'A Jolly Good Time' whilst others approached Scrooge asking for more time to pay off their debts. The whole story hinges around Scrooge who was wonderfully played by Robert Spencer. He most definitely portayed the grumpy, miserly, unpleasant and unfeeling traits of the character superbly and his terrific singing voice was very much in evidence in his numerous solos. He accomplished the transformation to a generous, charitable and unselfish person admirably. That night the ghost of Jacob Marley appears to Scrooge who was his old partner who died seven years ago and is now forced to wander in Purgatory in heavy chains as punishment for his greedy ways. Mark Holmes was outstanding as Jacob Marley from the fabulous make-up, the great costume complete with chains, to his super singing voice. He tells Scrooge that three ghosts will visit him and he must listen to them or he will suffer the same fate as him, The excellent number 'Link by Link' was accompanied by the fantastic 'ghostly' movements and dancing by the specialist dancers - Gabriela Risorto- Fowkes, Sally Roberts. Kat Burton, Georgia Archer, Amanda Ashall, Gemma Smylie, Kerry Towndrow-Birds and Heather Henderson. The clock, high upon the back flats, moved to one o'clock and tthe Ghost of Christmas Past, who earlier was the Lamplighter, awakens Scrooge. The part was delightfully played by Georgia Archer and she so beautifully sang 'The Lights' of Long Ago' as we see scenes involving the past life of Scrooge. One of which was delivered by the top-notch duo of Richard Tooze and Kelly Wallhead as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig in the entusiastic, energetic  and stunning number 'Mr. Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball'. This ends Act One and also opens Act Two when soon after the clock strikes two Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present who was outrageously and exquisitely played by Sarah Morrell, who appeared as the Sandwich Board person earlier. The whole number 'Abundance and Charity' was fantastic and again the 'dancers' along with Sarah excelled in routines like the 'Can-Can', and 'Tap and Kick' with even Scrooge joining in. A most joyous number. We see families enjoying 'Christmas Together' - Mr. Cratchit, so mistreated by Scrooge, was splendidly played by David Thorpe, his wife, well played by Charlotte Grattan and the adorable Evie Burton as Tiny Tim and at his nephew Fred' house with Thomas Spencer as Fred and Gemma Smylie as his wife where everyone toasts Scrooge, despite his absence. Scrooge is told that Tiny Tim will die and begs to know what he can do to change the future but the clock strikes three and we meet The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come beautifully portayed by Kerry Towndrow-Birds in a most stunningly moving and gracefully danced routine. Kerry appeared earlier as Blind Old Hag. There was excellent support from Ed Telfer as Young Ebenezer and from Chloe Fray as Emily as well as from the large cast of named characters, far too many to name them all, and also from the delightful and very talented children,

How wonderful it was to hear such a first-rate fifteen piece orchestra which added that extra special dimension to this fabulous show. The singing and acting by the outstanding cast and the splendiferous choreography was all of the highest standard which together with sumptuous costumes, a superb set and props, excellent lighting and sound all coming together to produce a most spectacular and entertaining performance. Many congratulalations to the Director, Adam Walker, to the Musical Director, Nick Stacey, to the Choreographer, Mhairi Herring, to the whole Production Team and to everyone else involved for overcoming the many challengers that you all faced in this new venue. Many thanks also to Business Manager, Karl Brennan, for being a most attentive and welcoming 'chaperone'.

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