'A Christmas Carol' Review
Venue: The Old Vic
Dates: 13 Nov 2021 - 08 Jan 2022
Tickets: From £10
OUR VERDICT:
I first saw this particular production of A Christmas Carol back in 2017, and I can confidently tell you that it has lost none of its magic. In fact, it seems to get better and better every year.
Ingeniously adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and skilfully 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 start before the show even begins; Dickensian characters in battered bonnets and capes hand out mince pies and toss satsumas cheerfully into the audience, whilst the band plays beautifully on stage.
The set (by Rob Howell) is incredibly effective; the atmospheric staging is in the round, completely immersing the audience in the story, whilst a stunning mass of twinkling lanterns are used for dramatic effect throughout.
This year it is the turn of Stephen Mangan to give his Scrooge. I am not sure he is old or mean enough for the role; his interpretation is more angry than tortured soul, but his tender moments with Tiny Tim had everyone weeping, and as he leapt around the auditorium we all roared (and sobbed) with joy.
The three ghosts (Amanda Hadingue Rachel John, Rose Shalloo) are all brilliantly individual. I also loved Karen Fishwick’s performance as Belle; her doorstep encounter with Scrooge had me completely enthralled.
Jack Shalloo is an energetic and loveable Bob Cratchit, and Bridgette Amofah may only have a small part in Mrs Cratchit, but she delivers it with aplomb.
Hat’s off also to Andrew Langtree, who plays both Jacob Marley and Scrooge’s terrifying father with great skill, and Casey-Indigo Blackwood-Lashley’s gentle and incredibly moving performance as Tiny Tim ensured that, once again, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Scrooge’s weighty chests of money, candlelit carols, beautiful bellringing and the ghostly entrance of Jacob Marley with his impossibly long chains all add to the atmosphere and effect of this fantastic production, but the last 20 minutes are truly unforgettable. I don’t want to give away too much, but there are parachuting brussels sprouts, a flying turkey and plenty of snow, and whoops from both adults and children alike.
The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol has become a festive tradition that I now look forward to year after year; it is beautifully haunting in parts, true to Dickens’ words, and the unique staging, superb music and skilful direction all add to the wonderfully evocative nature of the show.
The whole experience is joyously uplifting; each year I skip out of the theatre, like Scrooge on Christmas morning.
Recommended for ages 8+. Tickets £12 - £67.50. On now until Jan 8 at The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB oldvictheatre.com
