A Christmas Carol (BMOS Musical Theatre Company)
The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey from miserly old curmudgeon to enlightened lover of Christmas comes in many guises, this particular version with musical score by one of the great musical composers, Alan Menken is certainly gaining in popularity and takes full benefit of all the sentiments within Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.
Vitally important in any interpretation is casting of the Scrooge role, get this right and you will probably have a hit on your hands otherwise and despite the endeavours of the other performers, you could be looking at something as dead as Jacob Marley. Fortunately Stephen Duckham as Director has enlisted the services of Alistair Jolliffe in the lead role and the first glimpse of his characterisation on the opening night at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham makes the whole audience realise that this is going to be a truly impressive production.
Scene after scene of Christmas Joy (delivered incredibly by Stage Manager, Thomas Jevons and his team) interspersed with some darker moments that remind one of the true position that Scrooge is in and how change is inevitable for him to progress and avoid a terrible chain-laden fate, engage the audience and elicit all the expected reactions including many a rousing applause.
Ghosts abound commencing with a particularly ghoulish Patrick Pryce as deceased business partner Jacob Marley warning Scrooge of his fate and predicting the arrival of three further spirits. Rosie Harvey having already appeared as a Lamplighter is a glittery and balletic Ghost of Christmas Past, Elliot Beech is an ebullient and enthusiastic Sandwich Board Man then Ghost of Christmas Present and Michaela Hinton as a Blind Old Hag turned expressively flying Ghost of Christmas Future.
Whilst it is obvious that Scrooge finds it hard to relive his past in many ways, there is the outstanding scene to briefly lighten his mood at the 'Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball' (one of a number of great routines created by Choreographer, Aaron Gibson) and led stunningly by Nick Owenford and Jo Smith as Mr & Mrs Fezziwig. His present is highlighted by the meagre life led by his poorly paid clerk Bob Cratchitt a delightfully understated and reactive performance from Daniel Parker and his own family in the form of nephew Fred (played with the utmost charm by Michael McCulley) that he chooses to reject. His future very much by his own demise, the final catalyst for change.
There is a sizeable ensemble cast which makes the performance all the more cheerful and festive, just what is called for in that pre-Christmas period. I'd particularly like to mention two specific groups, the youth cast (on this night Team Bah Humbug) and in particular a fantastic performance from Joey Unitt as Tiny Tim and an impressive solo from Willow Heath as Grace Smythe, additionally the dancers who put their heart and soul into every number and thereby make this production even more engaging.
Running until Saturday 30th November 2019, seriously suggest you show some of that 'abundance and charity' mentioned in one of the songs and buy a ticket to your Christmas off to the perfect start.
Book Here
.
Vitally important in any interpretation is casting of the Scrooge role, get this right and you will probably have a hit on your hands otherwise and despite the endeavours of the other performers, you could be looking at something as dead as Jacob Marley. Fortunately Stephen Duckham as Director has enlisted the services of Alistair Jolliffe in the lead role and the first glimpse of his characterisation on the opening night at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham makes the whole audience realise that this is going to be a truly impressive production.
Scene after scene of Christmas Joy (delivered incredibly by Stage Manager, Thomas Jevons and his team) interspersed with some darker moments that remind one of the true position that Scrooge is in and how change is inevitable for him to progress and avoid a terrible chain-laden fate, engage the audience and elicit all the expected reactions including many a rousing applause.
Ghosts abound commencing with a particularly ghoulish Patrick Pryce as deceased business partner Jacob Marley warning Scrooge of his fate and predicting the arrival of three further spirits. Rosie Harvey having already appeared as a Lamplighter is a glittery and balletic Ghost of Christmas Past, Elliot Beech is an ebullient and enthusiastic Sandwich Board Man then Ghost of Christmas Present and Michaela Hinton as a Blind Old Hag turned expressively flying Ghost of Christmas Future.
Whilst it is obvious that Scrooge finds it hard to relive his past in many ways, there is the outstanding scene to briefly lighten his mood at the 'Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball' (one of a number of great routines created by Choreographer, Aaron Gibson) and led stunningly by Nick Owenford and Jo Smith as Mr & Mrs Fezziwig. His present is highlighted by the meagre life led by his poorly paid clerk Bob Cratchitt a delightfully understated and reactive performance from Daniel Parker and his own family in the form of nephew Fred (played with the utmost charm by Michael McCulley) that he chooses to reject. His future very much by his own demise, the final catalyst for change.
There is a sizeable ensemble cast which makes the performance all the more cheerful and festive, just what is called for in that pre-Christmas period. I'd particularly like to mention two specific groups, the youth cast (on this night Team Bah Humbug) and in particular a fantastic performance from Joey Unitt as Tiny Tim and an impressive solo from Willow Heath as Grace Smythe, additionally the dancers who put their heart and soul into every number and thereby make this production even more engaging.
Running until Saturday 30th November 2019, seriously suggest you show some of that 'abundance and charity' mentioned in one of the songs and buy a ticket to your Christmas off to the perfect start.
Book Here
.
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