Scrooge

A Society who are not blessed with deep reserves, but who never fail to turn out a show to match the big spenders!  Over the last three years they have produced some really memorable shows  and ‘Scrooge’ was no exception.

We had a strong ensemble with a lively opening street scene with ‘Sing a Christmas Carol’, and some simple set props to create the atmosphere. The company numbers were strong throughout and it was good to see some young members really enjoying themselves. Special mention for very young Scrooge (Ryley Jay), and Jenny ( Molly Rix, only 8 y o). Particularly well done to Tiny Tim (Yazmin Feek) and the Cratchitt family (Archie Bishop, Cerys Cairns, Sky-Louise Smith, Rebecca Warnes). They were well organised by the ever reliable Debbie Lambert who made the most of her cameo role as Ethel Cratchit, the faithful wife to Bob Cratchit (Joe Learner) who was every inch the humble, always cheerful in adversity, assistant to Scrooge. He led the Cratchit family in the moving ‘The Beautiful Day’, which was well delivered by his whole family as they played out their meagre Christmas dinner in Act 1.

Now, for this show, you really do need a strong Scrooge, and Andy York was undoubtedly that man…His was a particularly strong performance which grew on you as his persona developed, his deep gravelly voice really did excel as he was faced with at least five or six solo numbers and many more with various role partners. His final song, ‘I’ll Begin Again’, was a real audience favourite. He never faltered as this mammoth character part kept him on stage for most of the show. His ‘young Ebenezer’ (middle) persona was a strong cameo role from Daniel Hughes who also made a nicely portrayed nephew as the somewhat ‘nicer’ family member. We had of course the Fezziwigs, (Tommy Mcgee and Joy Woods) who exuded the joys of Christmas and were a real antidote to the miserable humbug of Scrooge before his reformation…

Now we all know that this is a ghost story and from the first entrance of Scrooges old partner as his ghostly apparition, we knew that Spotlight had given much thought to the ghost scenes. The entrance of Jacob Marley (Andy Osborne) really jangled the nerves as draped in chains and suitably white ragged adornments, he lumbered into Scrooges bedroom. The very effective smoke machine created the appropriate ‘fog’ from which he emerged to deliver his message and predictions of further visitations! So enter another apparition in pure white as The Ghost of Christmas Past (Sorrel Adams) took him on his first journey of ‘discovery’. She was well described and showed her vocal talent in the song ‘Love While You Can’. Ghost of Christmas Present (John Mondon), was a little less threatening in his green druid like garb and crown of holly, but delivered his tale of Scrooges ‘employee’s’ family with a certain resonance. We were in anticipation of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Ian Goddard), who appeared spookily clad from head to toe in black drapes with no body parts on view, obviously, a very committed actor who’s entrance was again proceeded by the effective smoke machine which created such an ethereal entrance …he was luckily far more recognisable as the puppeteer, Punch and Judy Man and stalwart chorus member.

This show can bring a tear to the eye during the final reveal scene as Scrooge is repentant, and Tiny Tim survives, as the Cratchits really do celebrate Christmas in style, leaving us with that pre Christmas ‘goodwill to all folk’ feeling, as Scrooge and the whole cast deliver ‘I’ll Begin Again’, and of course a resounding reprise of ‘Thank You Very Much’…. The seven piece live band were sensitively supportive and the use of a real piano (Alison Worrall) really added something special. Some simple but lively choreography and colourful costumes of the period all added to the overall success of this show. Well done again Spotlight!

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