Scrooge

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Ebenezer scrooge being visited by four ghosts and seeing the error of his ways!

Five towns production of this seasonal musical opened with a rousing feast of carols. The gauze and the number of people on stage limited movement in this piece which might just have added a little more atmosphere. The set and costumes were splendid and transported us back to the Victorian era. Lighting was simple and effective. Some of the set changes could have been disguised or hidden slightly better as they were, at times, distracting.

When a role demands almost entire evening on stage, a performer needs stamina, convincing characterisation and good vocal techniques. These qualities were certainly found in James Dawe playing the part of Scrooge, who gave a commendable performance, his quality of singing being of particular note. It is hard for a young man to play an old miser and maybe more of the old grouchiness could have been portrayed at the beginning of the show to allow for a more dramatic transformation at the end.

When a company is made up predominantly of youth members, it is always difficult to cast young members in adult roles alongside actual adult performers. However, the young cast must be praised for their mature, performances. Well done particularly to Rhys Gregory, as the young Scrooge, Jude Leath-Yates as Nephew Harry, James Price as Tom Jenkins and Lydia Adams as Isabel. All delivered a confident performance with great expression and enthusiasm.

The four ghosts were played in quite a traditional manner. Nathan Adams as Marley was a convincing ghost, weighed down by his chains, although the attempt to fly him was rather unsuccessful at this performance, I hope that it was mastered for subsequent performances. The dance routine during Marley’s song, however, didn’t quite give the right effect. From what I remember it is supposed to be a collection of other ghosts, weighed down by chains, a gruesome group of people long dead, showing what might become of Scrooge. In this production we were presented with number of lovely young ladies performing some very accomplished and graceful  ballet moves. For me, unfortunately, this didn’t quite work.

The young Cratchit family were adorable, particularly Tiny Tim (Leigh-Thomas Aubrey) and Kathy Cratchit (Carys Brett) so young and yet so confident with beautiful smiles and lovely singing voices to match. Well done to all the younger cast. I must say at this point that I loved the Turkey that was as big as the child that carried it!

This was overall a lovely Christmassy production, complete with snow and goodwill to all men. It had a great feel-good factor and the supportive and enthusiastic response from the audience was certainly testament to all the hard work that had gone into this show.

Well done to all, another show to be proud of.

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