SCROOGE till 12 December.
SCROOGE: Leslie Bricusse, based on the story from Charles Dickens.
Birmingham Hippodrome till Saturday 31 October.
Touring till 12 December 2009.
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval.
Review: Alexander Wray 27 October 2009.
Heartwarming delight.
Heartwarming delight.
There can be no doubt about it; Tommy Steele is (still) a star. His personality fills the acting space and his infectious charm adds value to this glittering, feel-extremely-good, Yuletide show. Out on tour again, it’s still looking really good.
Kenwright has put together a large company of high quality. You sense this from the opening medley of carols - the orchestra sound is rich and full, the ensemble sound full and warm. And you hear every word . . . not only at the opening but throughout the show. Bricusse’s songs are presented to perfection.
From his first second on stage, Tommy Steele holds us in the palm of his hand. He drives the show along never missing a beat, a note nor a step. He tends towards the comic - he has a natural gift for it - but never at the expense of the story; rather he adds to it.
A host of lovely performances - Geoffrey Abbott’s Bob Crachit for instance, or James Head’s larger than life Ghost of Christmas Present and Barry Howard’s Jacob Marley. Staging is strong - and particularly wonderful is THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Lovely duet from Old and Young Ebenezers (YOU . . . YOU) - TS and Craig Whitely.
I feel all the better for having seen it - go on, give yourself a treat.
Scrooge: Tommy Steele.
Bob Crachit: Geoffrey Abbott.
Harry: Craig Whitely.
Bess: Kristy Cullen.
Wine Merchant: Hailton Sargent.
Mrs Dilber: Suzie Chard.
Miss Dilber: Sophie Caton.
Bissett the Butcher: Kieron Harris.
Punch and Judy Man: David Lyndon.
Beggar Woman: Nikki Gerrard.
Mr Pringle: Steven Sparling.
Tom Jenkins: Robbie Towns.
Jocelyn Jollygood: Tony Stansfield.
Hugo Hearty: Halcro Johnston.
Chestnut Seller: Rebekah Clifford.
Jacob Marley: Barry Howard.
Phantoms: Kieron Harris, Hamilton Sargent, David Lyndon, Steven Sparkling, Tony Stansfield.
Ghost of Christmas Past: Claire Marlowe.
School Teacher: Robbie Towns.
Mr Fezziwig: Halcro Johnston.
Young Ebenezer: Craig Whitely.
Dick Wilkins: Hamilton Sargent.
Mrs Fezziwig: Suzie Chard.
Isabel: Abigail Jaye.
Ghost of Christmas Present: James Head.
Mrs Ethel Crachit: Marielle Dawson.
Helen: Abigail Jaye.
Topper: David Lyndon.
Mary: Sophie Caton.
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: David Lydon.
Mrs Pringle: Nikki Gerrard.
Children from Stagecoach Coventry, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.
Director: Bob Tomson.
Designer: Paul Farnsworth.
Lighting: Nick Richings.
Sound: Mick Potter.
Musical Director: Stuart Pedlar
Illusionist: Paul Kieve.
Choreogrpaher: Lisa Kent.
Associate choreographer: Cherida Langford.
2009-10-28 16:50:58