A Christmas Carol Archives - North West End UK

2Dec

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

A Christmas Carol – Leeds Playhouse

The festive extravaganzas at Leeds Playhouse have become a must see for Yorkshire theatre fans, and this year for A Christmas Carol they have thrown their big guns at yet another version of this hoary old favourite. This is director Amy Leach’s fifth go at Dickens’ classic tale of a damaged man’s redemptive journey, and it’s her biggest yet. She joins forces for the 22nd time with set and costume designer Hayley Grindle as they cleverly move the action from Victorian London to the cotton mills of Leeds. That works really well as it’s a reminder this great city’s wealth was also built on ruthlessly exploiting the working class. Unusually for a Playhouse festive show we are not in the round on the huge Quarry stage. Leach’s typically dynamic and witty direction makes the most of Grindl...

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story – Alexandra Palace

29Nov

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story – Alexandra Palace

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story is a fresh and compelling retelling of the timeless classic we all know and love. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, work-obsessed man completely isolated from friends and family, whose life is transformed after the haunting visits from the three spirits of Christmas, Past, Present, and Yet to Come. This production captures the essence of Dickens’ moral tale while adding new layers of theatrical magic. One of the most striking aspects of this performance is its setting. Staged in the historic Alexandra Palace, the venue’s weathered walls and rustic Victorian architecture instantly transport the audience to 19th-century London. The atmospheric surroundings create a sense of being fully immersed in a bygone era, adding an authe...

24Nov

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

A Christmas Carol – Octagon Theatre

The economics of modern theatre production are currently on full display at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, with their festive offering of ‘A Christmas Carol’ beginning its run for a mammoth eight weeks. This is a decision that may bear fruit at the box office but does little to enhance the artistic merit of this normally excellent producing house, staging a show that is threadbare and tonally inconsistent, leaving me with little of the Christmas cheer I hoped to find. In keeping with the Scrooge like nature of this review I won’t waste my word count on an explanation of the plot of Dicken’s most famous novella; the redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge (David Burrell) over the course of one Christmas Eve is one of the most enduring stories in literature and has been used on countless occasions...

Scrooge comes to Leeds Playhouse for the festive season

16Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Scrooge comes to Leeds Playhouse for the festive season

Leeds Playhouse’s tradition of spectacular festive shows continues this winter with a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Yorkshire writer Deborah McAndrew. This version of the Charles Dickens classic written over 180 years ago is directed by Leeds Playhouse Deputy Artistic Director Amy Leach. For the few unfamiliar with the story, it begins on Christmas Eve in Victorian England as miserly Ebenezer Scrooge grumbles his way through a typical "bah humbug!" day. But as the frosty night unfolds, four ghostly spirits whisk him on a whirlwind journey through his past, present, and future, revealing to Scrooge the true meaning of Christmas. Scrooge’s journey to redemption remains a beloved ghost story that still captivates audiences of all ages, blending festive cheer, live...

20Dec

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

A Christmas Carol – Norton Priory

Theres something so magical about seeing the Dickens masterpiece ‘A Christmas Carol’ played live around Christmas time. We are all drawn to watch a version of the story around the season whether it be the Alistair Sim black and white classic or the Muppet version, it is a tale that we all know and love. So, I have seen several short plays, shown in front of the iconic grand entrance to the priory and the huge double doors of the entrance are a magnificent backdrop – and for this play were used wonderfully being the entrance for each ghost to appear through billows of smoke. For tonight’s short rendition ( 1 hour) of the tale of reflection, anguish and remorse, there were just 5 cast members - the formidable Ebeneezer Scrooge , played superbly by &nb...

A Christmas Carol: The Musical – The Lowry

13Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

A Christmas Carol: The Musical – The Lowry

When the December review list lands in my inbox I have to confess to my spirits lowering, the plethora of pantomimes do nothing to lift my festive mood and there are always a significant number of variations on ‘A Christmas Carol’ on offer. However, having battled the seasonal traffic to get to The Lowry my Scrooge like mood was quickly lifted by this delightful musical version of the old redemption story, sending me home smiling and full of seasonal joy. Although this production is being staged in the beautifully proportioned 420 seat Quays Theatre at the Lowry, it is the estimable duo of William Whelton and Joseph Houston from Hope Mill Theatre that are the creative powerhouses behind it. Following a decade of success showcasing musical revivals from their Ancoats home, they have cros...

25Nov

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol (Ish) – Soho Place

A new Christmas themed show is in town! Written by and starring Nick Mohammed alongside Martha Howe Douglas, Kieran Hodgson and David Elms. Come for the stars, stay for the foot tapping music, earnest performances and imaginative set and expertise of the ensemble. Ten years in the making, Nick Mohammed in the avatar of Mr. Swallow/ Mr. Scrooge/ Santa Claus is a talented actor subverting all our understandings, memories and assumptions around Christmas. One need not be familiar with the character Mr Swallow to enjoy his quirks. They are able to incorporate Pantomime elements of repetition with crowd work, choreography and musical extravaganza. Complete with their shiny costumes, references to present events it is a laugh riot. Nick Mohammed, most popular for his portrayal of Na...

21Nov

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

A Christmas Carol – Birmingham Rep

Vanity publishing, which in recent years has metamorphosed into the far more respectable “self-publishing”, was once a much frowned upon indulgence reserved for potty poets and rich romantic novelists who didn’t need to make any money. However, it seems a number of well-known titles emerged from the self-funding route - “Paradise Lost”, “Sense and Sensibility”, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and Charles Dickens himself wasn’t beyond dipping into his pocket and splurging a few shillings to get a book on the shelves. His investment in A Christmas Carol would make many modern day self-publishers jealous - having never been out of print since 1843. Scrooge must be one of the most portrayed characters on stage and screen after Sherlock Holmes and Jesus and has been played by all and sundry. The ...

13Nov

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

A Christmas Carol – Hull New Theatre

“One magical night” were the first three words of the press release describing the well-known story, A Christmas Carol, ahead of Northern Ballet’s run of the Charles Dickens’ classic at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening. Those same three words aren’t praise enough to describe what we theatregoers witnessed when this amazing company took to the stage. It was sheer perfection - from the opening snowy scenes of Victorian life, to the closing joyous scene amidst the falling snow. The famous story, set in Victorian Leeds for this production, focuses on miserly money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge who is shown the error of his ways after visits from three spirits, Christmas Past, Present and Future. It’s a gloomy start, with the funeral procession of Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob ...

Northern Ballet: A Christmas Carol – Sheffield Lyceum

9Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Northern Ballet: A Christmas Carol – Sheffield Lyceum

Northern Ballet’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is infused with festive wonder and spectacle, but is ultimately haunted by ghosts of an unwillingly bygone era, suffering in real-time, solemnly foreboding a future of split community and chairs belonging, but not occupied. There is an abundance of talent on display in this show, with some excellent set pieces and performances. It works well between large and small scale, with seamless interplay between soloists and group dancers. Even its transitional qualities in and out of scenes is impressive. This piece is both large and small, but for all the right reasons, it usually feels large. The design of the show is fantastic, with an immensely adept understanding of transformative set design and utility. Wardrobe excels in many areas, with the Ghost...