THE GHOSTS OF SCROOGE. To 17 January.
Manchester
THE GHOSTS OF SCROOGE
by Charles Way Music by Richard Taylor
Library Theatre To 17 Janaury 2004
Mon-Sat variously 2.30pm & 7pm School performances 10.30am & 2pm
Audio-described 17 December, 15 January 2pm, 3 January 2.30pm
BSL Signed 5 December 7pm, 17 December, 15 January 2pm
Single Parents (DSS Benefit recipients only) 31 December 2.30pm
Study Day 17 January 11.30am, performance 2.30pm
Runs 2hr 25min One interval
TICKETS: 0161 236 7110
www.librarytheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 28 November
Innovative, theatrically compelling production, let down only in its later moments.The ghost of Charles Dickens haunts his Christmas Carol. Whatever you think of Dickens' style or his seasonal ethics, both are so strong any adaptation tends only to emphasise by default how complete in itself the story is.
The piece is tempting, but trying to reshape it is like seeking to turn an apparently malleable circle into a different shape: it ends up looking like a damaged circle.
And the mention of music shouldn't mislead. This is no more a Christmas Carol musical than the same writer and director's movement-based Beauty and the Beast at the Library a couple of years ago was a pretty seasonal ballet.
Richard Taylor's score gathers melodic speed when appropriate but there are fair stretches of growly, gravelly darkness too.
Aptly enough, for despite a few misjudged jokes - one about Tiny Tim's illness being irrelevant to his crutches is outstandingly weak - Way is faithful enough to Dickens not to jar. He even adds details that enhance the story. A Christmas Past at Fezziwig's, when Scrooge was a genial young employee, combines engagement to the beloved Belle with an introduction to a pleasant enough figure, yet one dressed in unfestive clothes and carrying a business ledger.
This figure, so keen to headhunt young Ebenezer, is one Jacob Marley. When Scrooge introduces business and personal life to each other, it's clear to Belle and to us where his interest mostly lies. That the same figure who touched off this head for money is the person whose ghost starts out the Christmas rescue-adventure actually makes the story's circle more complete.
And Roger Haines brings the same inspired theatricality that made his production of Tom's Midnight Garden here last year outstanding; it must be rare for a theatre's Christmas show to be repeatedly the most adventurous, experimental production of the season.
Flying by harness or being held aloft by chorus figures takes Scrooge and the child Ghost of Christmas Past (inspired idea, this - referring to Scrooge's childhood and the Dickensian childlike nature) through the years. While the idea of a fateful Future Ghost made out of huge sheets manipulated by sticks may not be new, its use possibly is - covering the scene, swirling threateningly before shrivelling back into bedclothes The several Spirits' appearance spirits from furniture is theatrically inspired, magic and spirituality coming from the material realities of office and home.
Updating by a century or so (Ignorance and Want are defiant street-children, wielding a threatening knife) allows Michael Vaughan's Scrooge to sweep around the stage with the direct force of a modern magnate. Vaughan's forcefully sung performance is more effective as curmudgeon than in the final phase of jollity. This is the only weak part of the piece - Dickens' forced jollity doesn't help, but Way's attempt to lengthen out the revelation of the new Ebenezer clots the end with unnecessary property-rights talk.
By this stage, we all know what's happening. Just get on with it and don't try to be clever. For the first time, end in sight, the ring starts to lose its shape. For the rest, it's another Library all-round winner.
Scrooge: Michael Vaughan
Fred/Older Dick: William Maidwell
Mrs Cratchit/Charity Lady: Julie Jupp
Bob Cratchit: Tony Timberlake
Jacob Marley/Old Joe: David Tysall
Fran/Belle/Belinda/Josephine: Hannah McPake
Mrs Fezziwig/Mrs Dilber: Nicola Blackman
Mr Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present: Adam Price
Ghost of Christmas Past: Joseph Barratt/Daniel Shaw
Peter Cratchit: Jordan Webb/Josh Price
Martha Cratchit: Catherine Douglas/Morgan Holliday
Tiny Tim: Ryan O'Connor/Ryan Usher
Young Dick: Luke Leahy/Ben Davies
Belle's Eldest Child: Pasqualle Emm/Victoria Desmond
Urchin 'Want': Rachel Wetters/Claire O'Neill
Urchin 'Ignorance': Dominic Coyle/Dominic Hilliard
Director: Roger Haines
Designer: Kate Burnett
Lighting: Nick Richings
Sound: Paul Gregory
Music Director: Nicolas Bloomfield
Movement/Choreographer: Liam Steel
Assistant director: Adam Quayle
2003-11-30 14:20:52