A Christmas Carol, Bridge House Theatre - ★★★★ - Until December 22, 2019


Deep Dickensian darkness abounds in Guy Retallack's highly intelligent adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Perhaps, the show is not directed at children and there is not too much to laugh at but there is much to admire, not least of which is the very clear enunciation of the excellent cast. Ben Woods in particular gives the text a beautiful, almost Shakespearian, delivery. Scrooge as played by an impressive Rachel Izen is, perhaps, a little too likeable and it isn't easy to despise the old curmudgeon. Jamie Ross and Saorla Wright both impress as the Cratchits. The spectres are well delineated and properly scary, but most scary of all is the superb use of tiny, horribly realistic, puppets as the children. Amy Rose Mitchell's excellent set for this production wastes no time in whirling us through the nightmares aided by some terrific lighting. The big Christmas party scene is an oasis of merriment and some delightful audience involvement underlines how much fun Scrooge is missing out on. Throughout the show there is music, but the whole performance is encapsulated in the beautiful “In the Bleak Midwinter.” This is a version of the classic that is extremely dark, but so well performed and thought provoking!

Reviewed by D.S.J.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until December 22, 2019
Various times and dates. See website below.
Bridge House Theatre
Nearest station: Penge West
https://www.bhtheatre.com/whatson/index.php
Map & Location: Bridge House, High St, London, Theatre SE20 8RW, UK

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