A Christmas Carol

I received a really warm welcome, was provided with a programme, and shown to an excellent seat which had been reserved for me. This society put on a really good production with all the right ingredients for family entertainment. This particular version was new to me, opening with Charles Dickens, played by Guy Steddon, and John Forster, played by Dan Dryer. They are planning how to get the subject of Mr Scrooge's bad temper explained, caused by his sad upbringing.

This was an exceptionally well directed and choreographed production. The staging consisted of an outstanding ‘back drop’ giving an impression of fire, a simple box set onto which was wheeled an all important bed with curtains hanging all around it, a table with some chairs and various other moveable objects all helping to transport the audience from one location to another.  

Bob Ryder was outstanding as the old miser Mr Scrooge; Tim Ingram and Zoe Edden made a delightful couple as Mr and Mrs Fezziwig and Julian Batstone as Bob Cratchit was very convincing being well supported by his wife played by Anna Steddon and their great group of youngsters, lead by Tiny Tim , Fraser Thompson. Nick Roughton was great as Old Marley but perhaps the most important parts were played by Diane Robson and Susanne Crosby as the Ghosts of Past, Present and Future.  In fact there wasn’t a weak link in the whole show. The most remarkable thing about this cast was the number of people playing between 3 and 5 different parts with never a prompt.

All the costumes and makeup were excellent, being very varied and exceedingly appropriate. I particularly loved the ghosts' outfits. I was very impressed with the number of fast changes involved.

Every word could be heard clearly and the sound effects were on time and the lighting was good, adding atmosphere to the individual scenes.  I thought their choice of songs was excellent with plenty of variety and the various routines were obviously well rehearsed and very watchable.

Thank you so much for a great evening’s entertainment.   

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