A Christmas Carol (Salford)

Since it’s publishing back in 1843, Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol has been the subject of many adaptations for both theatre and film. The Library Theatre’s interpretation is an enjoyable, but not outstanding, version of the story we all know and love.

The bad-tempered, miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited one Christmas Eve by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley. Heavy with the chains forged for himself through a life of selfishness and ignorance, Marley warns Scrooge of three ghosts that will visit him during the night, each with a lesson designed to revive Scrooge’s long dead Christmas spirit.

David Beames‘ Scrooge is the lynchpin of this production, managing the transition from grouchy old loner to generous uncle in a believable and energetic manner; we never doubt for a moment that his visions are affecting and real. Abigail McGibbon plays two contrasting characters very well; a warm, loving Mrs Cratchit and a distant, cold Ghost of Christmas Past.

The set and music capture Dickensian London to a tee; singing haunting Christmas carols against a backdrop of bare wood and falling snow. The ghost of Christmas Future (a larger than life skeletal puppet) is both beautiful and unnerving, but highlights the other spirits as a little underwhelming.

Although it doesn’t bring anything new to the story, this production provides a faithful reproduction of a classic tale and is a worthy introduction for any newcomers to the text.

– Poppy Helm