Scrooge (Leicester Curve)
It's impossible not to mention the staging of this fantastic production before anything else, probably one of the most innovative, visually impactful and simply effective sets I’ve ever seen and credit must go to Michael Taylor (Designer), Nikolai Foster (Director) and their team for adding something extra special to a classic tale.
Leslie Bricusse’s version of Dickens’s Christmas Carol must be the most recognised musical interpretation and Albert Finney’s portrayal of that old curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge a hard act to follow but, Jasper Britton has added his own twist to the character and there’s something slightly darker about this, that makes his final conversion from ‘sinner to saint’ so much more of the ultimate transition.
Obviously he can’t complete this process without the usual array of ghosts, Karen Mann takes the role of deceased partner Marley, a novel approach to play this as a female and Karen seems to revel in the opportunity. Sharan Phull provides a touching performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past, the character also doubling as Scrooge’s lost sister. Taking the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present with ultimate gusto is Anton Stephans with some intense characterisation and a powerful voice.
Joe Maxwell portrays an earthy Bob Cratchitt and you can’t help other than to feel for him, his wife (Lara Denning) and his family, particularly at this performance an endearing piece of acting from Jode Hughes as Tiny Tim. Mr & Mrs Fezziwig (Darren Bennett and Rachel Stanley) bring some joyful exuberance through the ‘December the 25th’ scene and a large ensemble cast all picking-up multiple roles make this a complete joy of a production.
Sadly this Dickensian Christmas Classic has completed its run at Leicester Curve but, with another Christmas Musical in the form of White Christmas scheduled for the next festive period, I’d be getting your tickets booked now if I were you.
Leicester Curve Website
Leslie Bricusse’s version of Dickens’s Christmas Carol must be the most recognised musical interpretation and Albert Finney’s portrayal of that old curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge a hard act to follow but, Jasper Britton has added his own twist to the character and there’s something slightly darker about this, that makes his final conversion from ‘sinner to saint’ so much more of the ultimate transition.
Obviously he can’t complete this process without the usual array of ghosts, Karen Mann takes the role of deceased partner Marley, a novel approach to play this as a female and Karen seems to revel in the opportunity. Sharan Phull provides a touching performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past, the character also doubling as Scrooge’s lost sister. Taking the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present with ultimate gusto is Anton Stephans with some intense characterisation and a powerful voice.
Joe Maxwell portrays an earthy Bob Cratchitt and you can’t help other than to feel for him, his wife (Lara Denning) and his family, particularly at this performance an endearing piece of acting from Jode Hughes as Tiny Tim. Mr & Mrs Fezziwig (Darren Bennett and Rachel Stanley) bring some joyful exuberance through the ‘December the 25th’ scene and a large ensemble cast all picking-up multiple roles make this a complete joy of a production.
Sadly this Dickensian Christmas Classic has completed its run at Leicester Curve but, with another Christmas Musical in the form of White Christmas scheduled for the next festive period, I’d be getting your tickets booked now if I were you.
Leicester Curve Website
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