'A Christmas Carol' Review
November 18 to January 13 2024
Address: 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB. Get directions.
Our verdict
One of the greatest stories ever told – A Christmas Carol, returns to The Old Vic theatre for its annual festive foray.
Imaginatively adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and ingeniously directed by The Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus, together they have created a moving and magical version of Dickens’ enduring ghost story whilst carefully avoiding any twee, tinselly clichés.
The festivities begin before the show even starts; warm mince pies are handed out, and satsumas are cheerfully tossed into the audience. Staging is in the round, with a brilliant set by Rob Howell that creates warmth and immersivity from the get-go, with a stunning mass of twinkling lanterns that create dramatic effect throughout.
I’ve seen this particular production every year since it first opened in 2017, and it has lost none of its magic. This year it is Dr Who star Christopher Eccelston’s turn to take on the mighty Scrooge, and he is a natural. He is loud, gruff, and sarcastic, but as his emotional layers begin to peel away, he plays the part with a palpable vulnerability.
When sat on his own coffin, face-to-face with his younger self and whispers, “I do not want him to turn into me...”, audible sobs echoed throughout the auditorium (mine included). It is touching moments like this that make his ultimate transformation all the more joyful, helped along by the beautiful and at times haunting live score.
Scrooge’s weighty chests of money, candlelit carols, and magical bellringing all add to the cosy atmosphere of this fabulous production. Still, the utter joy of the final 20 minutes is completely irresistible. I don’t want to give away too much, but there are parachuting Brussels sprouts…
Eccelston is surrounded by a fabulous company – Alistair Parker’s Fezzwig is exactly as he should be; jolly, generous, and incredibly likeable. Rob Compton’s Bob Crachit is both tender and touching, with a good dose of humour when a seemingly deranged Scrooge comes knocking on Christmas Day.
Andrew Langtree is superb as both Scrooge’s threatening Father and old friend Marley, as is Matthew Maddison, who plays a Young Scrooge with heart-breaking innocence. All three Ghosts (Julie Jupp, Gemma Knight Jones and Rose Shalloo) are excellent.
Special mention must also go to Freddie Marshall-Ellis, who was a perfectly endearing Tiny Tim on the night I saw the show.
The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol has become a festive tradition that I look forward to year after year; it is haunting in parts, true to Dickens’ words, and the unique staging, beautiful music and skilful direction all add to the evocative nature of the show.
The overall effect is nothing short of joyous; each year, I skip out of the theatre like Scrooge on Christmas morning, and I defy anyone else to not do the same.
From now until Jan 6 at The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB. Tickets from £13 plus a £2.50 transaction fee apply per booking, recommended for ages 8+. oldvictheatre.com
