A Christmas Carol Review

Leeds Playhouse – until 19 January 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

5*****

The Christmas season has arrived in style at the Leeds Playhouse and what couldn’t be more fitting is their festive show, A Christmas Carol. It is an associated production with the Hull Truck Theatre and is based on Deborah McAndrew’s adaptation. The senses arouse many on arriving at the pop up theatre with its cosy and festive ambience greeting them.

Charles Dickens’ classic tells a story of Scrooge (Robert Pickavance) who learns about the spirit of Christmas from an abrupt visit by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Joe Alessi), a former business partner, and subsequent visits from the spirits of Christmas of the past (Tessa Parr) and present (Elexi Walker). Dickens is reputed to have studied deeply each of the characters he narrates about in his classics and the character of Scrooge is no exception. This adaptation gives ample opportunity that Scrooge isn’t painted the villain or just plain “Bah Humbug” instead the ghosts relate to his upbringing and to the choices he eventually makes.

A Christmas Carol was written during the Victorian times when Christmas and its customs were being fashioned and revived as known today. Dickens, known for his social consciousness, had raised awareness through his works about the ignorance concerning poverty among families and children. As well as celebrating Christmas many had been encouraged to consider the less fortunate through the spirit of giving.

This season’s ensemble of actors, under the direction of Amy Leach, delivers a heartfelt and entertaining performance. The production is supported by Hayley Grindle’s traditional and nostalgic staging and costumes that works so well with the story telling and Josh Carr’s lighting and Ed Clarke’s soundscapes. There are some engaging songs, under the arrangement of John Biddle, and the localised references is positively refreshing.

The stand out performance must be from Walker (Ghost of Christmas Present) who successfully engages with the audience in a pantomime style and certainly convinces Scrooge to embrace the Christmas spirit through compassion and kindness. Pickavance perfectly portrays Scrooge with his positive transformation of his somewhat complex but misunderstood character.

A Christmas Carol is a welcoming Christmas present and marks the festive season. The story commemorates the revival of modern Christmas however it magically embraces its spirit and qualities which resonates the season. It is certainly a production not to be missed during the Christmas Season.