Octagon Theatre, Bolton – until Saturday 10th January 2026
Review by Rebecca Hampson
3***
Christmas has landed at Bolton Octagon with a festive musical adaptation of the Victorian classic by Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’.
An explosion of festive joy this adaptation saw our very own Ebenezer in a world of song music and lights. The audience were treated to a ballad dedicated to the one, the only, figgy pudding as Christmas Present played by Lucy Keirl wheeled around the stage on the worlds most festive scooter.
My highlight of the show was the arrival of Marley’s Ghost played by William Donaldson. Donaldson’s characterisation and gait worked simultaneously with Hannah Wolfe’s costuming of Marley and allowed for a seamless transition from armchair to ghost in chains as he reached out and enthralled a truly terrified Scrooge. A scene so spooktaular it caused a child in the audience to jump into the lap of their mother.
This adaptation was perfect at engaging the younger audience members when they were invited to take part in the fizzy wizzy dance during a flashback of Christmas past. The audience clapped along and some even jumped up to dance.
As a die-hard fan of the traditional I found elements of this adaptation confusing. However, my opinion was of the latter as audience members raved whilst leaving the theatre.
If you are expecting a traditional rendition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ this is not the show but if you are wanting something festive, loud, bright and full of cheer this is a production you simply cannot miss.