Alexandra Palace – until 7th January 2024
Reviewed by Fiona Leyman
2**
“Marley was dead to begin with”.
A Christmas Carol is one of the most iconic Christmas tales ever written. A story about a man’s miserable existence and hatred of Christmas, and his redemption and love for those around him. This story has been adapted in more ways than I can count, and we can all agree that we’ve seen it in some form or another, whether on screen, on stage, or in a book. Michael Caine in A Muppets Christmas Carol was my first introduction to this story as a child. This has and always will be my favourite Christmas story of all time. This is the 3rd time this week alone that I have seen this tale been told on stage. Screen adaptations range from Bill Murray’s 80s classic Scrooged to Alastair Sim’s in the 1951 feature film Scrooge. All memorable, all unique, all masterpieces. Can Mark Gatiss’ adaptation stand up to these greats?
There is no more beautiful setting for this ghost story. Alexandra Palace, which was constructed in 1875, is a sight to behold in the North London borough of Haringey. A structure that towers over the capital and retains its original interior design. The broken walls, cracked bricks, and exposed ornate ceilings capture the essence of this Victorian tale.
Illusion Designer John Bulleid creates some eye-catching effects throughout the theatre. From ghosts appearing on the walls to apparitions on door knockers, there is something for everyone. This was a unique feature that I had never witnessed on stage before. The clever lighting and staging transported the audience to Victorian London. Large filing cabinets were used to create the iconic Scrooge & Marley counting house, as well as his dark and dingy bed chambers. Each easily transitioning to the various elements of this story.
Sadly, this adaptation fell flat after these special effects. Keith Allen, who is better known for his film and tv roles, played Ebenezer Scrooge. Allen is undeniably talented, but his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Unfortunately, his acting was as wooden as the stage he walked on, and audiences struggled to connect with his character.
The story felt rushed and disorganised. Additionally, there was some confusion as to why certain actors were playing some of the story’s more iconic roles. There are some very talented child actors on this stage, so the casting of Ryan Weston as Tiny Tim baffles me. Don’t get me wrong: Ryan is gifted, but this pivotal role in the story should have been played differently. Jokes were met with awkward, forced laughter from the audience and failed to hit the mark.
As the Narrator, Geoffrey Beevers (Dr Who, Miss Potter, Hamlet) is an absolute delight. A seasoned actor of over 50 years, his stage presence is something to be admired, and Mark Gatiss’ twist at the end with his character was an unexpected surprise.
This Charles Dickens 1843 story is a classic, a masterpiece, and a tale that has and will stand the test of time. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for this version of the story. “Bah Humbug” is all I have to say about this adaptation, which regrettably only receives 2 Stars.