More happiness, less bah humbug!
The Mayflower Made adaptation of A Christmas Carol is a joy from start to finish, showcasing the incredible breadth of talent we have on our doorstep during a delightful two hours.
Fifty local young people appear in what is an outstanding piece of ensemble theatre.
It's the best show yet from director and adaptor Jacquelyn Ockwell and her creative team who bring back some of the pivotal performers from previous festive hits like Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. She works wonders here and brings out the best in a truly talented cast.
Setting A Christmas Carol in the modern day at a Charles Dickens experience was a masterstroke. I loved the way visitor Ben's playlist tune Walk The Moon's Shut Up and Dance bookended the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and one very eventful Christmas Eve. Influenced by modern day materialism, he initially sees Scrooge as a role model, before taking a trip into the past and having a change of heart.
Of course, Scrooge is the miserly employer who hates Christmas and does little to help his hard-working team including clerk Bob Cratchit and his poorly son and large family.
Scrooge gets a serious wake up call when he gets a visit from his ghostly late business partner Jacob Marley who is able to show him Christmases past, present and future and help him to learn a lesson and change his ways.
Despite all the films, musicals, plays and other adaptations of the Charles Dickens 1843 classic novella, it's not a story my children are familiar with I'm ashamed to say. But, despite the lack of knowledge, they sat spellbound, engrossed in the story and mesmerised by the talent on display.
The set was also a real triumph. Dickensian Britain was beautifully brought to life via historic homes, ornate balconies and candlelight.
In an era of austerity, A Christmas Carol has never been a more appropriate choice for a seasonal show.
Despite everything, we left the theatre feeling uplifted and full of Christmas spirit.
A Christmas Carol runs until New Year's Eve. Tickets from mayflowerstudios.org.uk
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