Book, Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse
Produced by David Mariner with UK producer Graham Mulvein
At Princess Theatre, Melbourne, from Nov 1993 to Jan, 1994
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
This review was published in Melbourne Times after Jan 9, 1994.
It may seem inappropriate to see a show about Christmas in January, but Scrooge the Musical is a great night out at any time. Not the least of its assets is the formidably talented expatriate, Keith Michell. He manages to be charming as the miserly and villainous Scrooge. And he can sing too!
The story, we all know, is based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is visited by his dead partner in miserliness, Jacob Marley who warns him to be a nice generous guy or he'll have hell to pay later. Scrooge is visited by Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future which all scare the living B'Jesus out of him.
In fact, this production delights in scaring the heck out of the audience too. Spooks appear and disappear at the rate of knots. The production is a bevy of (magic) illusions wrought by Paul Kieve, and other techno-theatrical feats thought up by director Christopher Henshaw. Actors fly, dissolve into thin air and vanish through walls and mirrors. Not only the kids squealed at explosive entrances.
This is a fairly traditional style of musical. Large and rousing London street chorus numbers are interspersed with scenes and solos. The songs are generally entertaining but not memorable. The exception is an old favourite, That's the Nicest Thing that Anyone's Ever Done for Me which is the vehicle for Rod McLennan to do his jaunty cockney bit.
One song provided a very moving moment. Scrooge's song of rebirth, I'll Begin Again, was sung by Michell with both vocal and emotional resonance. Scrooge's journey from miserliness and misery to benevolence and familial love is poignant and credible in the hands of this consummate performer.
Michell is more than ably supported by an impish and athletic William Zappa as Marley and by an ebullient Max Gillies who plays Christmas Present as a rather bemused old Santa who looks like a cross between Henry VIII and Nero.
The design by Paul Farnsworth is appropriately dark and Victorian. London street scapes fly away to reveal the dark splendour of Scrooge's lodgings or the dank interior of his offices. All is enhanced by a spectacular lighting design by Hugh Vanstone who creates hellfire, moonlight, warm interiors and a London chill through lighting.
Scrooge is terrific family entertainment with a message and Keith Michell should not be missed - in anything.
Kate Herbert 400 w
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