Steve Nallon's Christmas Carol till 3 January

STEVE NALLON'S CHRISTMAS CAROL
Birmingham Rep: The Door (0121 236 4455)
Runs: 1h 45m, one interval, till 3 January
Review: Rod Dungate, 12 December 2003

A delightful way to spend a couple of hours
Steve Nallon's CHRISTMAS CAROL is like a great big box of chocolates: plenty of variety, each morsel a gentle delight, equally good on your own or sharing with friends and firm favourites regularly popping up. And of course you don't have to worry about the calories.

For those who don't remember, Nallon endeared himself to many of us as the voice of Margaret Thatcher in SPITTING IMAGE (though he did a great many other impressions too.)

In his one-man show, dressed in casual Victorian garb, he ambles through a telling of the seasonal favourite assisted by an amazing cast. Scrooge's nephew is played by Robin Williams, for instance: Mrs Cratchit by Hyacinth Bucket while Del takes a moment out of Fools and Horses to create Bob Cratchit . There are more stars in this cast than people in Birmingham's new Bull Ring shopping centre. Ian McKellen pops in, as does Maggie Smith, Dame Edna E and Anne Robinson. Even Kermit, Homer Simpson and the Flintstones get in on the act. As does the Iron Lady herself.

Nallon moves swiftly from one to another: it's somewhat amazing that he remembers who he's supposed to be at any one time. And the whole is held together by an excellent portrayal of Alistair Sim and who's going to be watching that film again this year?

Great to see Nallon proving life exists after Maggie (I steer clear of all political comment) and a totally delightful couple of hours.

Written and Performed: Steve Nallon
Director: Toby Frow
Composer and Sound Designer: Richard Hammarton
Lighting: Simon Bond

2003-12-14 14:12:39