A Christmas Carol REVIEW 23 Nov 2023 *****

THEATRE

A version by Jack Thorne, conceived by Matthew Warchus from Charles Dickens novel

An Old Vic production

At Comedy Theatre Melbourne until 7 Jan 2023

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: ***** (5)

This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 25 Nov 2023. KH

NB: I “re-purposed” some content from my 2022 review of this production, where it was still relevant. K

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 2023_c Jeff Busby

 

 

 

Matthew Warchus’s exhilarating production of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Jack Thorne from Dickens’ ripping yarn, is a very Christmassy feast of carols, choral harmonies, mass bell ringing, snow, faith, hope and charity and even a veritable feast of fruits, vegetables, meat platters, puddings and breads all sliding down from the balcony along draped sheets to the stage and into wicker baskets. Yes, real food – mostly.

 

The pre-show musical entertainment includes actors dispensing mince pies and mandarins to audience members who wave furiously at actors to get their hands on the Chrissy nosh.

 

Thorne’s version of Dickens’ story extracts crucial moments, takes licence with some dialogue, and omits some characters and scenes because, let’s face it, Dickens’ book would take many hours to perform in full.

 

The centre of this morality tale is Ebenezer Scrooge, played by virtuoso UK actor, Owen Teale, who manages to take Scrooge from ferocious to vulnerable by the end of the show. Scrooge is a miserly old moneylender who thinks Christmas is ‘humbug’ (He says the word only once in this show.) and who underpays and makes unreasonable demands on his dutiful, hard-working office clerk, Bob Cratchit (Bernard Curry) who lives in poverty with his wife and many children including Tiny Tim (played adorably by Mira Feldman on opening night). Scrooge reviles the carol singers at his door and dismisses his genial nephew, Fred (Andrew Coshan). He suspects everyone wants to steal his money.

 

Teale’s performance is rich, nuanced and passionate but feels effortless and natural, as if he isn’t acting at all, while his warm, honey-toned voice soothes and charms, even when Scrooge is being mightily mean. Teale’s transformation from this stone-hearted old grump into joyful, bouncing, childlike benefactor is swift but credible, and his 180-degree change triggers the truly joyous Christmas celebration and feast that follows at the Cratchit’s home.

 

The supporting cast is outstanding with Debra Lawrance as the wry, pert, elderly Christmas Past, and Samantha Morley as the critical, chivvying Christmas Present. The entire cast takes the role of Christmas Future – a group of black-clad veiled ghostly figures – while Scrooge’s late sister, Little Fann (Aisha Aidara) takes Scrooge to view his own, desperately lonely funeral at which he learns his lesson of love and kinship.

 

Anthony Harkin is compelling as Jacob Marley and his warm, velvety baritone is welcome in the final song, Grant Piro’s Fezziwig is playful and naïve, while Sarah Morrison is warm and composed as Belle, Scrooge’s past love.

 

We marvel like children at Rob Howell’s gloriously atmospheric set design of tumbled lanterns and drop lights, falling snow, Scrooge’s money boxes and secret compartments in the stage floor, and Hugh Vanstone‘a evocative, often spooky, sometimes festive lighting. The music, composed by Christopher Nightingale, is an imaginative collision of Christmas carols, a capella harmonies, inspired bell ringing and haunting soundscape, played by a live band perched in a balcony box and musicians who are on stage.

 

A Christmas Carol, with its dancing, singing, snacks, tears and laughter, is a delicious Christmas tonic that reminds us of those who struggle to make ends meet. In London and here, money is collected and donated by the show to charities for the poor. Teale speaks with warmth about donations to FairShare and there are collection boxes at the doors.

 

by Kate Herbert

Owen Teale & cast CHRISTMAS CAROL 2023_c Jeff Busby

CAST

Ebenezer Scrooge - Owen Teale

Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward -Young Ebenezer (also cello/double bass)

Bernard Curry - Bob Cratchit

Anthony Harkin - Father / Marley

Andrew Coshan - Fred

Stephanie Lambourn - Mrs Cratchit  (Mandolin)

Debra Lawrance - Ghost of Christmas Past

Samantha Morley -  Ghost of Christmas Present

Aisha Aidara - Little Fan

 Sarah Morrison - Belle

 Grant Piro -  Fezzwig

Kaya Byrne - Nicholas

Benjamin Colley -George (Accordion/tin whistle)

Deirdre Khoo – Jess

Tiny Tim -  On opening night Tiny Tim played by Mira Friedman; Alexis Abela, Sasha Hampson, Evie Rose Hennessy, Libby Segal 

 

 

CREATIVE TEAM

Jack Thorne -   Adaptation

Matthew Warchus - Director

Rob Howell - Set & Costume

Christopher Nightingale - Composer & Arranger

Peter Rutherford - Australian Musical Director

Hugh Vanstone  -Lighting

Simon Baker - Sound

Lizzi Gee – Movement

Simon Baker – Sound

Campbell Young Assoc- Hair, wigs, make-up

 

BAND
Natasha Fearnside – Reed

Lisa Reynolds – Violin

Kalina Krusteva – Cello