What a start to my Christmas celebrations, a joyous and heart-warming new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic – A Christmas Carol. Set in Sheffield and dripping with the festive custom of Carols, these harmonic vocal bells charm the local audiences and provide the grounding human link between our past and our present. Long before the well-known choral carols in churches, Christmas regional songs were sung ad hoc in pubs and this tradition remains strong and striving in Sheffield. What better way to highlight Dicken’s story of change and redemption than with a kaleidoscope of a vocally created backdrop, replacing much of the instrumental music and also gifting the community audience with localised lyrics and customs encompassing and highlighting the moral story to inclusive new heights.
Aisha Khan’s adaption is both charming and none reliant on eerie spectacle to deliver its message. With the addition of a narrator in role – Jack played with gusto by Mel Lowe and aided by three talented local children (rotated on differing performances) the action is swift and fluid. Under the Direction of Elin Schofield and Alex Pritchett, the multi role playing cast deliver a full bodied and thought provoking production, where time is transgressive both on and off the stage.
The designers Rose Revitt and Kevin Jenkins provide a well-used and extensive set with additional pieces such as tables and beds appearing through trap doors. Illusion Designer John Bulleid creates some magical moments particularly Marley’s appearance/disappearance on the door of Scrooge’s residency. With movement and choreography by Aline David the slickness of the production is wondrous and obviously well-rehearsed, and then add to this the exceptional technical accuracies in both lighting design by Richard Howell and Gareth Fry’s sound design. These technical choices and elements hug the production giving A Christmas Carol the ethereal feel it radiates.
Ian Midlane plays his Scrooge with firm roots in a stereotypical no nonsense Yorkshireman – this works well and he remains fore and centre at all times – providing the cohesion glue with flair and originality. Ryan O’Donnell as Cratchit and the Younger Scrooge gives another strong performance and it extremely likeable in role as does Aaron Anthony as Nephew Fred and Edward. Adam Price delights the audience as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Mr Fezziwig and not forgetting Old Joe and the Baker! Price, with his exceptional speaking voice and characterisations remains just on the right edge of brilliance and show stealing. With Anthony Afoegbu (Marley/George) and Nitai Levi (Ghost of Christmas Past/ Topper) the characters are in capable and believable hands. Kimberley Blake, Kiah Lindsay and Lucy Brindle portray the female roles with clarity and have glorious singing voices. A mention must go to Daniel Rhodes (Badger/Peter/Bertie), this young man lights up the stage and is really one to watch out for in future – I was drawn to his stage presence and engagement!
I was totally mesmerised by A Christmas Carol and this adaption worked on so many levels – the glorious vocal soundscape, the local carols, the clever staging and illusions, the strong cast and the exceptional technical accuracy. You really do not want to miss this 5 Star production on at the Sheffield Crucible Theatre until 10th January 2026. It is a spellbinding and heart-warming evening of all that is glorious within the Arts. https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/
Reviewer: Tracey Bell
Reviewed: 4th December 2025
North West End UK Rating: