Scrooge
Information
- Date
- 10th January 2025
- Society
- Henfield Theatre Company
- Venue
- Henfield Hall, Henfield
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Mandy Ainsworth
- Musical Director
- Jane Haines
- Choreographer
- Chloe Purchase
- Producer
- Jane Jones
- Written By
- Leslie Bricusse
There are very few productions that can have you crying with laughter in one scene and a split second later have you crying with sadness. Scrooge done well is just such a production, and this was just that: packed with emotion, packed with every single person on the stage enjoying what they are doing and putting everything into it. Mandy Ainsworth has taken on a hugely ambitious task for her directorial debut and has achieved a remarkably detailed and authentic production which every single person in the audience, judging by the whooping and clapping, loved.
There were so many things to love about this production. The way the space was used is super: some set detail on the sides giving depth and moving furniture into place for the different locations worked really well: it had all the things that you would expect of Scrooge including the four poster bed with curtains around it. In some scenes all the actors were on at once and there were 26 of them for the group musical numbers, and they all knew where they were placed and spatially aware walking around, which must have been choreographed but looked natural. The furniture and props including jugs and tankards were just right, and the transitions were smooth.
Another aspect of this production which was superb were the way the projections are used: the balance between the light on the back wall and the actors still being lit on the stage was perfect. There were many of the projections that were moving, such as the flames in the fireplace in Scrooge’s house, the ghosts moving behind him when Marley visits, and the walking through the corridor of his big empty house and the projection moving along in time was fabulous. The fire on his tombstone and Marley appearing on his front door were also moments to remember.
As always with Henfield, the costumes were excellent. The multi-rolling changes with subtle costume additions or discards, such as nephew changing waistcoat to become Young Scrooge, worked very well. Attention to detail in the costumes is so important, including to trousers and hats, and utterly gorgeous: we know instantly what class of character we are seeing based on how they dress. And the addition of exceptionally long fingers on the Ghost of Christmas Futures making him even creepier was a lovely touch.
Jane Haines has done an exceptional job with musical direction. The vocal harmonies in the huge group numbers are truly magnificent: not just the usual harmonies that you would expect, but really well thought out and a joy to hear. The opening group number was amazing, and set the tone of what to expect from the show: quality. Some of the songs have really high notes and all the actors singing them had confidence to do so, and hit them, which must have been part of the rehearsal process: this has paid off in spades. Each of the actors singing are playing to their strengths as well; all of the songs are performed not just sung, and Scrooge’s singing styles including more spoken in places were the perfect choice for that character. There wasn’t a pitch out of place, which was joyous. Choreography by Chloe Purchase was also super and in homage to the original film which was such a lovely touch. The simple yet effective movements in for Isabelle in ‘Happiness’ were so lovely, contrasting with the joyful group dancing in ‘December The Twenty-fifth’ preceding it.
The whole cast did incredibly well, including different acting choices in the multi-rolling, and it would be entirely possible to laud each one of them for different aspects; but of course highlights would include Paul Crowe as Scrooge. He held the stage brilliantly, and managed to endear himself to the audience so they were willing him to become good in the end of the story. His singing style and ability to meet and hold those end long notes in songs was also really well done. There are so many standout moments in this show, such as the sublime voice of Ashtyn Roworth who sung the sweetest and most heartfelt version of ‘Happiness’ that must surely exist, drawing the whole audience into the heartbreak that follows. Ven Malyon’s emotional pitching as Young Scrooge, completely in love with Isabelle by his physical stance and expression, and a second later completely disconnected from her sitting at his desk and cold: was superb. Chloe Purchase as Ethel Cratchitt was lovely; warm and not as abrasive as the character is usually played which was a nice choice.
All the children in the show were amazing: moving naturally into position, always acting and never dropping; and totally believable. Lonnie Tai-Chidlow shone particularly, multi-rolling between so many different characters. Harley Hills deserves and extra special mention as the best Tiny Tim ever: his emotional yet authentic portrayal was absolutely perfection. This role can quite often be over the top and too sickly sweet, but the balance he struck was just right, and his singing voice was absolutely adorable for this role: hopeful balanced with fragile. It made so many in the audience very teary eyed in ‘The Beautiful Day’, standing on the table in the Cratchitt house holding the audience in the palm of his hand. Incredibly well done.
The song that everyone remembers is of course ‘Thank You Very Much’ and this performance did not disappoint: even including dancing on top of the coffin. The lead voice was exactly right for this song, and had everyone in the audience clapping along in the scene as well as the finale. While there were a few hitches in parts of this particular show, everyone in the whole team, including all the actors, styled this out and carried on professionally with confidence, which was a joy to watch. Whatever happened, they included it, which is the best choice; and their obvious joy at being part of the show was infectious to the audience. Congratulations to every single person on stage and in every part of this production, and to Mandy Ainsworth who has done a truly terrific job.
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