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A show full of festive spirit
A Christmas Carol
Derby Theatre
**** THERE are a
number of festive productions popular at Christmas time. Charles
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
is a favourite, and with good cause. Its message of festive cheer and hope at the
expense of parsimony and gloom is evergreen, its allure demonstrated by
an almost full Monday night house. Although the theatre is located within the
anonymous Intu shopping centre, the auditorium and facilities are
fabulous. This show boasts an intricate and imposing set, dominated by a
giant clock face, echoing Derby’s clock making heritage, ready to herald
the ghosts and spirits of Christmas past, present and future. A revolving walkway keeps things moving on ground
level, and above, an elevated walkway provides for split level balcony
performance. Ebeneezer Scrooge is the beating heart of what unfolds, a heart at first cold and then warm. Although written 170 years ago, the sentiments and debate resonate today, indeed an opening rant could easily have been mistaken for an Ian Duncan-Smith speech. Jim Barclay as Scrooge revels in moving from
Victorian curmudge
A talented ensemble cast sing and play musical
accompaniment on stage. Musical Director Adam Howell has arranged
several of the traditional, familiar carols which pepper the show with
original, pleasing harmonies, the highlight of which is In the Bleak
Mid-Winter. Local children, in three teams, ably support
their adult, professional counterparts. This night’s performance was
played by Team A, from whom` Freya Youngman stood out. Daniel Willis is
an engaging Bob Cratchit, the fragrant Kate Robson-Stuart is a delight
as his wife. At two hours, the show leaps along at a lively
pace with something for everyone. The social commentary is faithful to
Dickens’ vision in the novel, the script is humorous and witty, the
Victorian sense of Christmas, both in spirit and stage presentation,
will delight children in a family friendly production. Charity and overseas aid have come under much
media scrutiny recently in an era of financial austerity, Dicken’s
reminder that it is our humanity which binds us together and can make us
great is as pertinent now as it has ever been. To 04-01-15 Gary Longden
08-12-14 |
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on
to philanthropist in a script well adapted by Neil Duffield. Director
Sarah Brigham does not shy away from poverty, offering beggars and
orphans, equally she knows how to put on a set piece which is pleasing
to the eye and ear, including song and dance, particularly in the feast
scene.