A Christmas Carol
December 1, 2007
Northern Stages production of A Christmas Carol should be known as a Christmas Cracker, as it is a sure fire winner, brilliantly acted, well directed and most of all a great two hours of live theatre.
Charles Dickens classic tale of Ebenzer Scrooge has been presented in many different ways, book, play, films and a successful musical. So to actually see a new fresh approach to the story, that is both funny and not to scary for young children, is a delight.
Director Erica Whyman has taken this new adaptation by Stephen Sharkey and presented an ensemble piece of theatre that captures the audience from the moments the lights dim in the theatre. Having cut out any stage trickery, such as flying, doors opening by themselves and ghosts appearing to walk through walls, we are left with a very clear and concise production. During that time children and adults alike are captivated by the story and action on stage, which contains some nice surprises, which I will not spoil.
The sets designed by Neil Murray and brought to life by lighting designer Charles Balfour add to the experience. This is the fourth production Erica Whyman has directed at Northern Stage and by far her best.
The play tells the story of Scrooge (Michael Hodgson) who is a miserly money lender who will not celebrate Christmas . He even begrudges giving his employee Bob Cratchit (Mark Calvert) a day off for Christmas Day, until he is visited by the ghost of his business partner Jacob Marley who warns him he must mend his ways. Later three spirits arrive (the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future) and individually they take him to revue his life, hear what others are saying about him now and most importantly see what will happen in the future. It is only then that Scrooge becomes a reformed character.
Scrooge is superbly played by Michael Hodgson, who recently appeared in the hit play The Pitman Painters. Hodgson makes his Scrooge appear funny without softening the character (and there are plenty of “laugh out loud” moments in the production) before turning him in to a tragic figure realising he must change. I doubt we will see a finer performance in any production this Christmas than Michael Hodgsons portrayal of Scrooge.
The production is billed as being suitable for 7 years and older and to test this I took my daughters, one who is almost 7 and they both sat mesmerised. Being prepared for the “scary entrances for the ghosts” I was pleased to see these had been handled with care and were quite suitable for a young audience.
This show is the ideal alternative to a traditional pantomime and cannot be recommended highly enough,
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