A CHRISTMAS CAROL. To 19 January.
London.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adapted from Charles Dickens by Mark Dornford-May.
Young Vic In rep to 19 January 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 8,12,15,17,22,27,29 Dec, 2,5,10,12,16,19 Jan 2.30pm.
Audio-described 5 Jan 2.30pm.
Captioned 17 Jan.
Runs 1hr 25min No interval.
TICKETS: 020 722 2922.
www.youngvic.org
Review: Timothy Ramsden 29 November.
Dickens made piercingly real.
Ikrismas Kherol (advertised for 12+) takes Dickens to South Africa, bringing him back to sensational effect. The more specifically South African the show is, the brighter it shines. Filmed inserts show an impoverished community, the sort of (if not actual) township where these performers live. Yet, whatever sort of poverty they have, it’s not human or artistic. In these respects they overflow as bounteously as the most magnificent Dickensian Christmas celebration imaginable.
Opening whispers soon grow into a loud clattering as miners descend to work with a chaos of drilling, pounding, rattling; a discordant symphony that soon gives way to a single, quiet child's voice. There follow African rhythms and English carols, with a feminisation of Dickens’ story; Mrs Scrooge has risen to great wealth through hard-bargains and asset-stripping.
This setting isn’t the only surprise. The Cratchitts’ daughter, Tiny Thembisa, walking on crutches, is suddenly imbued with the admonitory voice of Jacob Marley, a striking contrast of the vocal and physical as the child becomes the medium of judgement.
Dickens’ story loses some detail in the later stages, but it hardly matters. In addition to the celebratory high points, as exciting as might be expected from this fine company, the South African context renews his well-known tale remarkably.
The intense beauty of voice in young Scrooge’s carol-singing shows what she will lose through her material world, while the shanty-homes seen on film are contrasted by the one more solid building, the church where a filmed choir are silently seen behind their live selves. At each refrain the actors point out among their number the individuals seen in turn in close-up.
Not specifically Dickensian, but intensely emotional, zooming simultaneously in on two worlds miles apart – except for this moment. A story that’s possibly over-familiar is re-imagined, made fresh and pertinent to lives in a society where the “surplus population” is being decreased by an AIDS epidemic, and where a child seeks sponsorship just so she can afford to attend school. Nothing here can be denied, because the performers validate the world they are showing. God bless them, each and every one.
Miner/Man: Fikile Thani.
Miners: Mhlekazi Andy Mosiea, Khanyiso Gwenxane, Xolani Momo, Malungisa Balintulo, Sibusiso Matshikiza.
Young Cratchitt/Miner: Luvo Rasemeni.
Cratchitt: Luthando Mthi.
Security Guard: Zamile Gantana.
Tiny Thembisa: Poseletso Sejosingoe.
Scrooge: Pauline Malefane.
Mrs Cratchitt: Asanda Ndlwana.
Winifred: Busisiwe Ngejane.
First Ghost: Zanele Gracious Mbatha.
Mother/Township Woman: Thozamo Mdliva.
Drunken Man/Miner: Sonwabo Ntshata.
Pumla/Third Ghost: Nolunthando Boqwana.
Nosisi: Siyanda Ncobo.
Fezziwig/Miner: Simphiwe Mayeki.
Young Scrooge: Lungelwa Mdezaki.
Bheki: Clyde Berning.
Jacob Marley/Miner: Zebulon K Mmusi.
Second Ghost: Mbali Kgosidintsi.
Township Women: Bongiwe Mapassa, Philisa Sibeko, Tembisa Mlanjeni, Nolufefe Mtshabe.
Martha: Thomakazi Holland.
Township Men: Mzwandile C Kambule, Mandisi Dyantsis.
Director: Mark Dornford-May
Lighting: Mannie Manim.
Choreographer: Lungelo Ngamlana.
Costume: Leigh Bishop, Annamarie Seegers.
Music coach: Albert Combrink.
Voice coach: Lesley Manim.
Assistant directors: Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway, Gbolahan Obisesan.
2007-11-30 01:51:12