Review - A Christmas Carol - People's Theatre

A Christmas Carol

People's Theatre

21st November, 2023 

Adapted by Karen Louise Hebden

Directed by Anna Dobson

We're into the last full week of November, Christmas and Panto season are fast approaching. 

Bah! Humbug! So what better way to ease into the silly season than with A Christmas Carol, Charles Dicken's tale of redemption, forgiveness and learning to understand and keep to the true heart of Christmas? 

It is a glorious tale full of larger than life characters, chain rattling ghosts and a moral lesson or two. Add in some traditional carols, a cleverly constructed set, and a bunch of talented actors and you have a winning combination. 

Let's start with the set - a huge clock face mounted on a raised walkway dominates the stage, and is used to great effect to show the passing of time as the three spectres of Christmas visit Ebeneezer Scrooge. Steps lead up to the platform from either side of the stage, and are used throughout by various characters, giving an extra level (pardon the pun) of visual interest and depth to the action. Various props are brought on and off the stage to create each scene - desks for Scrooge and Bob Cratchet to work at, tables and chairs to represent the Cratchet's kitchen, a headstone, a crackett, a doorway... while other props remain a constant - Scrooges bed, Tiny Tim's crutch, lanterns throwing off their soft yellow light. Each of these props add to the audience's awareness, reminding us of some aspect of the story: Scrooge's ghostly visitors, the frailty of Tiny Tim, the shortness of time... It's not a busy set, but it says more than you might realise at first glance. 

It's always interesting to see how ghostly apparitions are portrayed on stage, and here we have ethereal lighting and giant puppets with diaphanous, floating robes, skeletal fingers...they are beautifully and effectively created and manipulated, and the sinister silent presence of Christmas Yet to Come is awe-inspiring. 

The cast work hard with many playing several parts and switching roles seamlessly, while Roger Liddle as Scrooge grumps and bah humbugs his way to redemption and a joyous transformation in the final act, channeling just a smidgeon of Alastair Sim (the original and best Scrooge!).  

This production will draw you into the Christmas spirit, it is funny, heart-rending, and ultimately uplifting. A story written in 1843 and still as relevant today as it was then. Buy a ticket and experience the most traditional Christmas story. 

A Christmas Carol plays until 25th November. 

*Images by Paul Hood

Denise Sparrowhawk