A Christmas Carol

For this special Christmas production, members of Much Hadham Drama Group had collaborated with Director, Jenny King, co-founder of "Wren Theatre Productions", who had written the script for this dramatised version of Charles Dickens original novel "A Christmas Carol".  With the co-operation of the clergy and congregation, the beautiful ancient parish church of St. Andrew's provided the ideal atmospheric backdrop for this performance of the well-loved story of the miserly old curmudgeon Scrooge.  Jenny King's company of actors perform plays in churches throughout Hertfordshire, so are familiar with the challenges required in creating a performance space in these sacred places.

A cloth-covered dais had been erected in front of the lovely carved rood screen, with a false passageway behind, complete with Georgian style window, for access by cast members.  A "doorway", showing on one side a signboard to Scrooge and Marley's premises and, on the reverse, the door to the Cratchit's home, was placed in front of the pulpit, which in various scenes was used to good effect.  The dais was set with gate-leg table and chairs, re-arranged by members of the cast as each scene unfolded.  An electric coal fire, complete with smoke effect, was set to the side, where Scrooge's bed was constructed using two blocks of covered foam.  A platform had been erected in the central aisle towards the back of the church to accommodate the sound and lighting desk.  A sheet had been hung from the arch over the rood screen, onto which suitably chosen images were projected at various times during the performance to enhance the scene.

Children from the choir of St. Andrew's Primary School, under the leadership of their choirmaster, Toby Heath, were a delightful addition, interspersing the scenes with Christmas carols and seasonal songs.

The large cast of members from both the Drama Group and Wren Theatre Productions brought vividly and dramatically to life various scenes from the story of Scrooge and the visitations by the ghosts of Marley, Christmas Past, Present and Christmas Yet To Come, whilst the three Narrators, Christopher and Susie Melluish and Liz Pickup, kept the audience up-dated with the unfolding story.

Gerald Dale personified the mean-spirited Scrooge and put in a very believable and commanding performance.  As Marley's Ghost ,Alex Anderson-Hall, was suitably scary, with his "echoed" voice, great make-up and costume, complete with clanking chains.  Philip Deans gave a good performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past, making his entrance through the central doorway in the rood screen, dressed in long white robe with a halo of twinkly lights - quite ghostly!  A good performance, too, from Mike Clarke as Ghost of Christmas Present, resplendent in red cloak with a ring of holly for his headgear, his appearance at the upper doorway of the church's tower quite dramatic.  Paul Hickman as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, dressed as the grim reaper, with face hidden, was suitably menacing and silently malevolent.

In contrast, Jem Deans and Penny Deans were both jolly and animated as Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig, the Christmas party scene a delightful interlude, with a spirited dance accomplished well in the very confined space!  Young Douglas Deans gave a confident performance as young Scrooge, and James McOran Campbell was well-cast as Scrooge's nephew Fred. Corrina Graham-Hodson was kept busy, tripling as Scrooge's nephew's wife, Mrs. Fezziwig's daughter and Mrs. Cratchit, bringing sincerity and spirit to her very contrasting roles.  Corrina, together with Penny Deans, had also been responsible for providing the costumes, which added much to the overall visual effect of a Victorian-age drama.

I wish I could give all the children a mention too, but space sadly does not permit.  However, I truly felt that they all added to the performance in their own way and were extremely well-disciplined.  I would, however, particularly like to commend Nathaniel Carn, for his emotive performance as Tiny Tim, Ollie Childs as the child Scrooge and Esme Lawson, as Scrooge's childhood friend Little Fan.  Also Esme, as Want, with Francesca Vittori as Ignorance gave us an emotional performance with their well-sung duet.  These are all young people, perhaps, to watch for the future?

The concept of the play being performed in a church, I felt, worked really well and was well received by the appreciative audience.  Congratulations to all involved with this thought-provoking adaptation of this seasonal tale of goodwill.

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