A CHRISTMAS CAROL. To 7 January.
London
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Charles Dickens adapted by Joanna Volinska
Trafalgar Studios (Studio 2) To 7 January 2006
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Wed & Sat 3pm except 31 Dec 4pm only
Runs 2hr 15min One interval
TICKETS: 0870 060 6632
www.theambassadors.com/trafalgarstudios
Review: Timothy Ramsden 26 December
Visually imaginative adaptation with fine use of music.
Dickens’ most famous ‘Christmas Book’ is so theatrically told on the page that productions often overlay what’s already in the language with unnecessary additions.
Alistair Green’s approach with his company Horla, experienced in translating narrative fiction to the stage, doesn’t attempt to recreate what’s already there but provides an atmospheric frame. Joanna Volinska’s adaptation begins superbly by giving Dickens’ introductory words to Tiny Tim. Joanna Hickman’s light voice, in its childlike innocence and frankness, make the opening comments a devastating criticism of Scrooge.
Andrew Macbean realises Scrooge is not a vicious man but someone convinced of his own viewpoint (let no-one who complains about social security scroungers, asylum-seekers etc ever look down on Ebenezer). When he visits his regular tavern for his evening meal and demands quiet on Christmas Eve, Scrooge silences a drink-inspired rowdiness, but as all eyes watch him eat and a chant builds slowly against him there’s no doubt he turns a joyous spirit into something more menacing. Marley’s face doesn’t appear on Scrooge’s door-knocker, but as voices call him in the street and hands reach out to assist his undressing at home, he’s clearly losing his iron control of everyday life.
Music variously creates the open happiness of Christmas gatherings and the strangeness of Scrooge’s experience. None of the Ghosts gives him an easy time, Christmas Past admonishing him, Christmas Present, the jolliest, visibly weakening as the Day ends, and the silent, black-veiled Christmas Future never satisfying him with answers about the death-laden scenes they visit.
The production’s full of fine visual details – Mrs Cratchit lovingly ladling extra gravy onto Tim’s plate, for instance. Performances vary in success with the dialogue and Green doesn’t fully resolve the problem that his central character spends so long as an observer, something more obvious on stage than page, before being suddenly transformed. Scrooge needs to do more than sit watching so much. A pity too Volinska ends with Tiny Tim narrating in third person, rather than keeping him in character to balance the opening. But this is an imaginative Carol, its small-scale means used to considerable advantage.
Belle/Martha Cratchit: Carole Carpenter
Mr Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present/Old Joe: Neil Catchick
Ghost of Marley/Bob Cratchit/Topper: Chris Courtenay
Tiny Tim/Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs Dilber: Joanna Hickman
Scrooge: Andrew Macbean
Young Scrooge/Peter Cratchit: Olaf Mathar
Fundraiser/Landlady/Caroline/Charwoman: Rebecca Naylor
Fundraiser/Fanny/Fred’s Wife/Ghost of Christmas Future: Luanna Priestman
Fred/Dick Wilkins/Undertaker: Dan Smith
Mrs Cratchit/Mrs Fezziwig: Alison Ward
Director: Alistair Green
Designer: Tracy Waller
Lighting: Natalie Jones
Music: Carole Carpenter, Jonathan Langford, Vanessa Lucas-Smith
Musical Director: Carole Carpenter
2005-12-27 13:10:03