A Christmas Carol adapted by Mark Gatiss, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, 6 Centenary Square, B1 2EP,

4☆☆☆☆ Review: Joanna Jarvis.

“A delightfully ghostly spin on a classic tale.”

 

A Christmas Carol is a tale of human redemption through the spirit of Christmas. The miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played by a sprightly Matthew Cottle, is visited by three spirits on the night of Christmas Eve. They have been sent by his dead partner Jacob Marley, a spectral Rufus Hound, to show him the error of his ways. It is at its heart a ghost story, and this is the aspect that Mark Gatiss plays on in his witty adaption. All the memorable phrases from Dickens are there swirling in the mists and ghostly smog of Victorian London.

The setting, by Paul Wills, makes full use of the cavernous space of the Rep’s stage, with towers of filing cabinets dwarfing Scrooge and the put-upon Bob Cratchit, played with sensitivity by Oscar Batterham. A projection screen allows for skilful changes of scene, all overshadowed by an enormous bell that tolls the hours. Bells provide a recurring theme throughout, the doleful clock, the tinkling bell at the door of the office and a cacophony from a panel of servant’s bells, summoning the ghosts. Christmas Past is young and pale, moving softly around the stage. Christmas Present has a large and fulsome voice, spreading joy to counter the ever-present threat of hunger. Christmas Yet To Come a black and threatening silhouette. Each a familiar and essential part of the story.

Several very effective puppets add to the overall effect, such as the ethereal white spectres and a blind beggar’s dog, which has real character. The Ghost of Christmas Present is accompanied by two puppet children, a chilling rendering of ignorance and want.

Lighting and sound enhance the atmosphere throughout, with several effects that make you jump from your seat in fright. But this is a Christmas show and there is also light, music and dancing to leaven the scares. Scrooge is a sprightly and amusing character, even at the beginning. As a young man he is someone worthy of redemption, making for a believable character change at the end.

The ensemble cast back up the story with gusto and a clever use of doubling up gives us Dickens’ wide cast of characters. This is a ghostly but delightful retelling of a familiar tale. The entertaining script uses light humour to counter the darkness, and a rousing finale leaves us full of the warmth and spirit of Christmas.

 

Cast:

Matthew Cottle – Ebenezer Scrooge

Rufus Hound – Jacob Marley

Karendip Phull – Caroline

Lance West – Fred

Geoffrey Beevers – Narrator

Kalifa Taylor – Belle

Oscar Batterham – Bob Cratchit

Grace Hogg-Robinson – Ghost of Christmas Past

Mark Theodore – Ghost of Christmas Present

Rebecca Trehearn – Mrs Cratchit

Ryan Weston – Tiny Tim

Olivia-Faith Kamau – On Stage Swing & Dance Captain

Iverson Yabut – On Stage Swing

Takunda Khumalo – Edwin Cratchit

Sophie John – Grace Cratchit

River Mahjouri – Edwin Cratchit

Corrina Onyiukah – Grace Cratchit

Logan Meers – Edwin Cratchit

Orla Rae Wilson – Grace Cratchit

 

Creatives:

Mark Gatiss – Writer

Adam penfold – Director

Paul Willis – Set & Costume Designer

Philip Gladwell – Lighting Director

Ella Wahlström – Sound Designer

Nina Dunn for PixelLux – Video Designer

Georgina lamb – Movement Director

Tingying Dong – Composer

Ginny Schiller (CDG) – Casting Director

Matthew Forbes – Puppet Designer and Director

Tom Attwood – Musical Director

Kay Welch – Voice & Dialect Coach

John Bulleid – Illusions Designer