EBENEEZER SCROOGE

This well-known story, based on the popular Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, was in fact written a few years ago by Director Colin Holmes and Musical Director Peter Williams. I think the opening to any piece of theatre, must grab the attention of the audience right from the start, and this production put us in festive mood from the onset. Opening with the group of carollers, the scene was set with lovely harmonies from this group. There are so many characters in this production that sadly, I will only be able to mention the main members of the cast.

In the title role of ‘Ebeneezer Scrooge’ David Huxley was hardly ever off the stage, portraying the penny pinching miser, exposing his various moods, from the unsympathetic money grabber until he was shown the error of his ways, thus the transformation to the jolly repentant Uncle and friend to all, with an animated performance in Act 2. David coped admirably with script and score in all tasks. A certain amount of ‘patter’ with these lyrics, and Scrooge was involved in no less than twenty of the musical numbers. It was evident throughout that David had researched this role thoroughly, and this emerged with his superb performance. Julia Noakes was well cast as Scrooge’s intended wife Isobelle, who returned in the final scene to partner Scrooge in ‘I Would Like To Dance With You’. Noah Lewis pulled at the heart strings doubling up as a very confident Very Young Scrooge, and sympathetic Tiny Tim together with Robert Edwards as Young Scrooge and Gracie Noakes as Young Isobelle. Andy Leavers and Donna Poynton demonstrated their stagecraft with heartfelt portrayals as Bob Cratchitt and Mrs Cratchitt, encouraging their young charges, Martha – Natalie Eastwell, Emily – Madeline Cox and Belinda – Ruby Lewis, throughout their performances.

Yet another reliable performance from Sharon Huxley as Rosie, Scrooge’s Housekeeper. I particularly enjoyed the confident performance from Richard Davies as Fred, Scrooge’s Nephew, he excelled in all musical numbers and his personality radiated through the theatre. I liked the contribution from the ‘Ghosts’. Landon Sweeney as Ghost of Jacob Marley, set the scene for the entire show, together with a brilliant performance from Shirley Betts as ‘Ghost of Christmas Past’. An animated presentation from Geoff Edkins as ‘Ghost of Christmas Present’ with John Haydon presenting us with a chilling ‘Ghost of Christmas Future’.

Minor roles were well performed and much thought had gone into set design, costumes and the technical side. A real insight into these popular Christmas characters which gave the audience that ‘feel good factor’ in preparation for the forthcoming Christmas Festivities, and the whole Company fully deserved the accolade they received.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.