Scrooge

This is a lovely show for the beginning of the Christmas season and the very colourful opening scene set just the right note. The chorus sang and moved confidently and used the stage well.

With such a large cast it is very difficult to mention everyone but David Humphries made an excellent Scrooge – he really looked the part –and with good singing and dialogue too. Tony Austin was a suitable scary Marley, Mick Attwood was a jolly Christmas Present and Carol Lilly a ghoulish Christmas Yet to Come. There was good work there from the make-up and costume departments too.  Keith Allan and Jo Walters were lovely as Mr. and Mrs. Fizziwig. The party scene was such fun, and super costumes too. I was also impressed with the younger members of the cast. Will Jones (Harry, Young Ebenezer) Freya Burnside (Christmas Past) and Rebecca Woodhead (Isabella/Helen) were great, with lovely voices, and all the children were delightful. So young and with such confidence and ability! It bodes well for the future of the society.

The chorus was very confident and sang well, with some good characterisation. The orchestra played competently, but at times was rather overpowering.

The show was well dressed, with good, suitable costumes. The set was very effective too, and the interiors of Scrooge’s house, especially the upstairs room, worked very well. The lighting was good, setting the mood for some of the more sombre scenes and also the jollier moments.

Overall this was a good production of a charming musical but on occasions the orchestra dominated the proceedings, detracting from the excellent onstage singing and acting.

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