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Nowt2Do.Com Review - A Christmas Carol

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Nowt2Do.Com Theatre Review

Name: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Present A Christmas Carol
Venue: The Redgrave Theatre
Dates: 5th to 21st December 2002
How to book: Call 0117 973 3955
Reviewer: Janine Cowell

'A Christmas Carol', Charles Dickens' tale of human redemption, has endured beyond even his own vivid imagination. It was a favourite during Dickens' public readings of his works late in his lifetime and is known today primarily due to the dozens of film versions and dramatisations which continue to be produced every year. This Christmas it is the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School who are presenting the classic tale at the Redgrave Theatre.

As I snuggled into my seat, I waited in anticipation to be drawn into Dickens' London. As the lights came up, the audience were greeted with a cheery rendition of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and a hustling, bustling London street. Although this introduced us to the spirit of Christmas cheer which undoubtedly many people would have been full of, I felt that everything was too bright and cheerful - the lighting was warm and yellow, and therefore the chilling atmosphere of the streets of London in Dickens' time was lost.

My disappointment died away the instant we were introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge. Samuel Roukin did this wonderful character utter justice and more. It has become incredibly hard to play Dickens' characters, especially in this famous piece, as the characters seem to have become stereotypes. Roukin had one of the most challenging tasks of all, and it would have been more than easy for him to slip into a caracature of Scrooge and overplay the comedy. This temptation was resisted and Roukin presented Ebenezer Scrooge with a refreshing sense of spontaneity, developing different and new sides to the character. Although a young actor, Roukin's well-choreographed movement along with a highly expressive face and voice gave me room to believe in him as the old, withered Scrooge.

The ghost of Jacob Marley, played by Simon Spencer-Hyde, was suitably sinister in appearance and his movement brought about the impression of aching bones and a tortured existence. I felt a great deal of sympathy towards this character as he tells Scrooge "Mankind should have been my business"- but his realisation is far too late. The portrayals of the Ghost of Christmas Past (Chris Nayak) and the Ghost of Christmas Present (Jason Haigh) were predictable but well-played. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come was an all-consuming being clothed in rags. The size of this ghost emphasised his power and influence upon what was to come, and the scenes of the future were played beneath him, giving him the power to sweep them up and prevent them from happening. Though I liked this concept, I felt that it hadn't been developed to its full potential.

Other notable performances were that of Iain Potter, whose genuine portrayal of Bob Cratchit was edged with touching charisma, Jenna Renshaw, whose Belle had a gentle presence, James Gitsham as the comic Fezziwig and David Ricardo-Pearce as Scrooge's nephew, Fred.

The sound and lighting was well designed, and the set, though simple, worked well. The direction was good, though I did feel at times that Neil Rhoden could have been a little more daring.

Dickens' cherished Christmas story is not worth missing out on (and is a great alternative to pantomime if it's all too much to bear!) - bundle the kids in the car, bring your partner, your friends and your family for a truly enjoyable December evening out - and leave the theatre full of Christmas cheer and the Box Office hoarding its deserved gold rather than muttering "Bah - humbug!"

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