Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide
Enjoyable
Timeless Classic
A
Christmas Carol
Washington Arts Centre
Thursday 10th December 2015
“I have endeavoured in
this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an idea, which shall not put my
readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or
with me” Charles Dickens: Introduction
to A Christmas Carol.
Some
tales survive the passage of time as they still resonate today. A greedy money
man would rather die rich and friendless than pay a living wage to his workers.
The basis of his 1843 tale could easily be a tale about the last few years.
In
Box Clever Theatre’s production two buskers, Charlyne Francis and Jessica
Dennis, are entertaining the audience as they arrive. Music and jokes lifted
the spirits of the packed Arts Centre Washington audience. The jokes may
have been of ‘Christmas cracker’ standard but they put a smile on faces as
everyone took their seats.
Sean
Kearney then stood up and refuses to contribute towards the poor. He asks if
the workhouses are still open and the poor law is operating. Ah! It is Ebenezer
Scrooge. A man who feels that the poor must have bought it upon themselves. It may be Christmas Eve but he still expects
his employees to be grateful that they have to do a day’s paid work tomorrow.
It
is time for a visit by the Ghosts of the past, present and future to flag up a
few home truths. At this stage, director Iqbal Khan has included some updating
of the plot. For example Scrooge cooks
his meal for one in a microwave and Bob Cratchit is a fan of Lidl.
The
show has a mix of storytelling, puppetry, music and some friendly audience
participation. All three actors have a real warmth which makes the audience
feel a part of the show. The use of UV
lighting has helped bring the set, and the ghosts, to life.
The
production is entertaining for families but it also has a profound message that
still applies many years after the source material was first published. The show doesn’t lecture, and it gives you a
chance to get up and do the Macarena!
A
pleasing update on a timeless classic that is as relevant today as it has
always been. A great finish to a fine year of theatre at Washington’s gem of a venue. The
North East Theatre Guide is looking forward to seeing which shows are coming up
at the newly refurbished Arts Centre Washington.
This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the
North East Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide preview of A Christmas Carol here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/preview-christmas-carol-at-washington.html
No comments:
Post a Comment