A Christmas Carol
Fewer Christmas stories tug on the heart strings like Charles Dickens’ immortal classic A Christmas Carol – the ultimate festive tale of redemption and compassion.
This is the third year that Artistic Director Matthew Warchus’ production has returned to The Old Vic, joyously adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). Together, Warchus and Thorne set out to embrace the ghost story’s enduring magic, while dodging all the twee, tinselly clichés, and they have most certainly achieved that. At points, their version is positively gloomy, but that only makes the moments of joy even more palpable.
The overwhelming feeling of festiveness fills the auditorium even before the show begins; Dickensian characters in battered bonnets and worn, swishy capes hand out mince pies and toss satsumas cheerfully into the audience, whilst a band play beautifully on stage, effectively transporting one back to a jolly Victorian noel. The enchanting staging is in the round, so the audience is completely immersed in the story, whilst the stage is lit by a mass of twinkling lanterns, which are used atmospherically throughout.
The familiar story hums along nicely to a live soundtrack of traditional festive music, intertwined with choir-like singing and chiming bells. Paterson Joseph’s (Peep Show, Babylon) energetic performance as Scrooge is far from the norm and takes a little while to get used to; usually a sinewy, cruel, hunched over character, Joseph’s is more pompous, angry and at times awkward, which actually makes an interesting and welcome change. The scenes when he is forced to relive difficult moments of his past and meet his younger self are genuinely heart-breaking, and his ecstatic transformation completely endearing.
The ghosts are all a delight in their own way and most definitely unique to this production; the Ghost of Christmas Past (played brilliantly by Myra McFadyen) is a sweet but fierce little old lady and Christmas Present is marvellously sassy thanks to Gloria Onitiri. The third and final ghost, Scrooge’s beloved sister Little Fan, is less frightening than other versions, in a gentle and touching performance by Melissa Allan. Steven Miller makes a brilliant Bob Cratchit - loveable and loyal as ever, and Tiny Tim, on this occasion played by Lara Mehmet, is truly joyful and received plenty of heartfelt ‘ahhhhs’ from the audience.
Throughout the show there are some terrific dramatic effects – sudden swinging lanterns, beautiful bellringing, and the ghostly entrance of Jacob Marley (played by Andrew Langtree), dragging his impossibly long chains. But the last 20 minutes are the absolute highlight of this magical production; Scrooge’s transformation is completely joyful. I don’t want to spoil anything – but it involves parachuting brussel sprouts, a flying turkey and plenty of snow, and a certain amount of audience involvement which evokes a sense of community. There are whoops and exclaims of joy, from both adults and children alike.
This is now the fourth (or maybe fifth…) time that I’ve seen this production, and it never fails to disappoint, so much so that it has become a Christmas tradition that I look forward to year after year. It is beautifully haunting in parts, the unique staging and superb music transport you to another time, and not in a twee way. The whole experience is quite simply magical, and the sense of unbridled joy at the end would make even the hardiest Scrooge’s heart swell. And of course, Dicken’s charitable message remains as true and touching today as it did when he wrote it; doing good is not just for Christmas, but all year round. As Scrooge himself says; ‘I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year’.
Recommended for ages 8+.Tickets £12 - £67.50. On now until Jan 18 at The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB oldvictheatre.com. Published on Essential Surrey & SW London
