Unbelievably, we had front row seats on the Old Vic stage for Matthew Warchus’ production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne, writes Michael Holland.
I was in dancing distance of Mrs Fezziwig; I could have tugged at the hanging threads of Scrooge’s raggedy clothes, I ate satsumas and mince pies with the Cratchits! Oh, what Christmassy joy, and it’s not even December yet.
The ensemble set up the wickedness of Ebenezer Scrooge, letting us observe as he sees off the carol singers trying to raise funds for the needy, then refusing his nephew’s invite to Christmas dinner, and while he gives his loyal employer, Bob Cratchit, a hard time on Christmas Eve.
The ghost of Marley, his deceased business partner, appears, weighed down by the sins of his greed, and tells Scrooge that it is time for him to repent for his money-lending money grabbing ways otherwise he will suffer torment in the afterlife.
Scrooge ignores Marley’s warning, thinking it a nightmare created by an undigested piece of beef, until the Ghost of Christmas Past appears to take him back to his childhood when he would have been happier if his father was better with the family money instead of being a reckless chance-taker. The beatings the young Ebenezer took made him the parsimonious adult he became, always fearful of falling into debt.
He also sees his first love, Belle, who he leaves behind to wait for him as he goes off to seek his fortune as a financier, and we are witness to his father selling the gifts he had bought for his sister. We slowly get an understanding of how a nice young man could turn out so untrusting and cruel.
The Ghost of Christmas Present opens Scrooge’s eyes to the poverty that surrounds him now, deprivation that he has ignored and belittled; but it is the Ghost of Christmas Future that finally makes him see how his miserly manner has affected so many people around him.
Jack Thorne’s adaptation shortens and simplifies Dickens’ classic work but without losing any of the sentiment or story that it told almost 200 years ago – a tale that is still very much relevant today.
Christopher Eccleston bounces about on the waves created by a marvellous cast who dance, sing and bell-ring their way through Scrooge’s life. They enter and exit through four doors while the audience all around become part of that life.
This is a heartwarming production that makes you want Scrooge to find his redemption, and with Eccleston evolving from grumpy old codger to wide-eyed man full of wonder, you know he will spend the rest of his days making up for past deeds. You cannot leave the Old Vic and not feel Christmassy.
With A Christmas Carol in an area that has several connections to Dickens and his books, we all left putting our hands in our pockets for a charity chosen by the theatre, either throwing money into a bucket or tapping card readers. That is the Scrooge Effect.
Merry Christmas, one and all.
Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 until January 6th. Times: Mon – Sat 7pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2pm. Admission: £25 – £155.
Booking: www.oldvictheatre.com
