Forum Theatre, Malvern – until 30th December 2023
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Malvern Theatres Stage Company brings us that perennial festive favourite A Christmas Carol in a superb adaptation by Nic Lloyd (also Director) who instantly thrusts us deep into unexpected territory – emblematic of a special evening ahead. To see something so new and fresh in such a familiar work of art was a revelation.
I won’t spoil the surprise regarding what this opening scene is but it is a breathtaking prologue involving Jacob Marley (Henry Pyne) and a Spirit (Rhys Harris-Clarke, who deliciously plays several roles). I enjoyed both actors when I saw them in this company’s previous production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Tonight gave them the chance to display their dramatic prowess with some lush dialogue bordering on the Shakespearean in it’s commanding breadth and spleandour!
Soon enough we were introduced to the other actors in the ensemble, which brought to mind ancient Greek Theatre with a chorus playing multiple roles around a narrator and a central character.
The entire cast was wonderful, thrilling us with magnificent performances. Toby Burchell treated us to a Scrooge that was suitably mean and clinical but thawed out nicely making this a thoroughly believable performance. Daniel Davis gave us a charming Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) as well as several other characters that were equally enjoyable.
The Cratchit family were well represented by Ben Mowbray (as Bob) and Emily Henry (as his wife) – including a fantastically acted extra added scene, giving us a very different slant on the work. Thought provoking! Howard Haines, playing the small but crucial role of Tiny Tim was, as expected, heartwarming.
Finally, multiple roles were taken up by Elizabeth Anne Jones whose live on stage guitar accompaniment I particularly appreciated and Summer Reade who particularly shone as Fan (Scrooge’s sister) in a touching portrayal.
Moa Myerson, also playing multiple roles, stood out in what was a stunning performance. Quite simply she is a major talent. Her acting was flawless, her characterization was warm and she had a range that was a joy to behold. And her singing voice is gorgeous too!
Speaking of which, I loved the use of Christmas Carols (sung live on stage by the cast) to heighten the stage action, for instance using “In The Bleak Midwinter” in the graveyard scene. “Silent Night”’s inclusion at a key scene touched my heart too. These musical interludes also served to move us between scenes (i.e. between Scrooge’s childhood and young adulthood) and between characters (i.e. one ghost to the next). Wonderful.
And that’s not even mentioning the lavish costumes, the inventive minimalist set, the lighting and the sound effects which all contributed to a highly accomplished production that does all involved enormous credit.
Another triumph from this young company of young performers showing us that both tonight’s cast and the company has a bright future. Rush to buy tickets for this production while you can, before they undoubtedly sell out. Top notch entertainment I cannot recommend highly enough. It’s enough to make you want to move to Malvern and attend every performance!