A Christmas Carol
Photo by: Mike Kwasniak
Review by Andrew Clarke
The wonderful thing about Dickens is that, like Shakespeare, his timeless stories can be told a hundred different ways. We all know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (unless you’re a youngster - then you’re in for a treat) but it is how the story is told, or how it is realised, that brings the Christmas joy.
This year, it is Eastern Angles who are finding the fun in a hugely atmospheric retelling of this ghostly classic. Adapted by the company’s artistic director, Jake Smith, this inventive production (directed by Callum Berridge) features a lively cast of four who transform themselves into the town’s-worth of motley characters who inhabit this tale.
Ian Crowe makes for a sharp, sniping Scrooge, determined to keep Charlie Venables as Bob Cratchit under his thumb, while fending off Felicity Sparks as his linen grabbing housekeeper and David Monteith as The Lamplighter and inhabiter of ghostly forms.
There are also two child actors in the cast playing village children and Tiny Tim.
The human performers are augmented by some large-scale puppets which give an added other-worldliness to the haunting scenes which take Scrooge out of his bed and onto a journey of self-discovery.
The comings and goings through the fireplace are well realised, and bring some light-hearted moments which help diffuse the fear factor for younger audience members.
These scenes are also aided by some magnificent lighting and smoke effects which help draw everyone into the heart of the action. Staged in traverse, with the audience seated on both sides of the acting area, it is very easy to feel as if you are part of the action being played out before you. In fact one audience member had an active role to play when he was given a shop bell to ring every time a person entered or left Scrooge’s financial institution.
Photo by: Mike Kwasniak
The performances feel very intimate with the actors making direct connections with the audience. At times it feels as if the actors/characters are confiding in you. This helps boost the Christmas/Dickensian atmosphere, along with bespoke songs performed live and a background soundtrack which weaves traditional Yuletide tunes with sounds of the town outside.
The set is simple but effective, built by veteran stage carpenter Dominic Eddington who has created a raised desk on a stepped platform for Scrooge to work at while the Christmas festivities go on around him.
Jake Smith’s adaptation also makes references to local towns and communities which brings the events of ‘A Christmas Carol’ closer to home.
It’s very much a Christmas show rather than an over-the-top pantomime, but the children present on the night I saw it were thoroughly engrossed in the story, and made great connections with the cast who went out of their way both before and during the show to forge a bond with the audience. There’s nothing like a bit of clever breaking the fourth wall to make everyone feel involved.
It's a cracking Christmas show fuelled by some extremely talented actors. Although the nature of the story throws the spotlight on Ian Crowe giving a fantastic performance as Scrooge, it is only fair to note that this is genuinely an ensemble show and Felicity Sparks, David Monteith and Charlie Venables give equally charismatic performances.
A wonderful, seasonal treat for all the family - see it if you can.
A Christmas Carol is at Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich until January 5, then at Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge from January 8-11, 2025.
FOR FULL SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE