A Christmas Carol

‘A Christmas Carol’ is a musical adaptation, for children of all ages, of Charles Dickens' much-loved story. There are very many musical versions of this play, however this adaptation by Mike Carter, is one of the better ones. Brighton teacher, Mike, has written almost a musical a year for the last 30 years, and so become one of the UK’s most respected theatre writers for children. He has adapted several Raymond Briggs stories, and is the only writer who has been allowed to make a stage musical of any of Roald Dahl’s books.

This energetic show is presented in the Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix Memorial Hall, at the corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road, Hamilton Hill. The 105-minute musical starts at 8.00 pm and runs until 4^th December. There is one matinee on Sunday 28^th November at 2.00 pm.

     Ebenezer Scrooge (Kyle Kash-Gregory) despite being a wealthy moneylender, leads a meagre existence. He treats his only employee, Bob Cratchit (Ian Greenwell) with contempt. Bob, his wife (Cally Zanik) and several children scrape through life. One of their children is a ‘crippled’ boy, Tiny Tim (Andrew Sumner) who could be cured, if only the parents had the doctor’s fees. As far as Scrooge is concerned that is Cratchit’s problem. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge goes around collecting in his owed money, and even charging Mr Cribshaw (Adam Bradley) 25% interest for one week’s loan.

     Scrooge’s nephew (Ryan McNally) calls to wish his uncle a Merry Christmas, only to be greeted with ‘Humbug!’ That night in bed Scrooge has a nightmare in which he is visited by the ghost of his old partner, Marley (Grant O’Neill) who, in chains, warns Scrooge that every link represented one of his misdeeds. 

     Ebenezer is then visited by the angelic Christmas Past (Melissa Kiiveri), and is reminded of his happy childhood and his lost fiancée (Stephanie Strong). Christmas Present and Christmas Future then arrive to give their messages and warnings.

       Can a miserable miser like Ebenezer ever learn the error of his ways?

The actual book can be quite dark in places, however Carter has written this version in a manner that will be loved by the children. The pre-recorded well-orchestrated, catchy music, which was supplied by the playwright, has some memorable tunes.

The costumes (Sue Roberts) are dismal where necessary, but bright and sparkle in the musical numbers. Well designed lighting from Hywel Williams and excellent stereo sound from Danni Close.

Director Jane Sherwood, having won a director’s award last year, decided to take a major step and with the help of assistant director Jenni Stevens, direct a musical.

‘Never work with children or animals’ well Jane and Jenni have, and here they have taken on a couple of dozen children and trained them well. The kids singing and dancing outshone the adults. In fact the children and the ‘cute factor’ in the shape of Layla the dog really enjoyed performing. In the second Act, the acrobatics and dancing (Jenni Stevens and Christine Browne) will have the younger audience riveted.

This community theatre musical / pantomime is the ideal show for grandparents to take their grandchildren to for their first theatre visit. Plenty of laughs – some unintended. The show will give you a smile.