"A Christmas Carol" A Derby Theatre Production.

Derby Theatre.

This is a new version of the Charles Dickens classic Christmas tale, written by Mike Kenny, and you can really tell because everything about this production looks and smells fresh.

Of course the original Dickens story is intact but it's the little touches that have been embellished that give this classic an added sparkle. That and the addition of some beautifully arranged Christmas carols and hymns that are performed live on stage by the actors/musicians themselves.

Gareth Williams is Ebenezer Scrooge, and does he look the part? Hypothetical question really. Gareth reprises his role of Scrooge from his 2019 performance, also at Derby Theatre, but with a completely different set and cast.  It's a delight to see the look of dawning on Scrooge's face as he is taken through his history and his future by the three ghosts; the complete opposite to the look of horror as he comes face to face with his old partner, Jacob Marley, prior to his conscience being well and truly pricked. Gareth, as always, is perfect for this part ,and we even get to see him, literally, on the fiddle at the end of the show.

And for those of my age group, you may also remember that Gareth was a member of the acapella group from the 1970's/1980's, The Flying Pickets.

Sam Lightfoot-Loftus plays Young Scrooge/Debtor/Topper and also is a multi instrumentalist and singer, a talent that was also shown on stage.

Oliver Mawdsley plays Bob Cratchit/Dick. there are some lovely flashes of Oliver's comedy acting talents as Bob Cratchit when in Scrooge's workplace area, and we also get to see the more emotional side of his acting later on; I'm sure you can guess where.

Ali Mylon is The Ghost of Christmas Present / Mrs Fezziwig/ Charwoman. I loved the fun, light portrayal of The Ghost of Christmas Present, but do not be drawn in too much by it because just when you think that is it, there's a very dark turn to this ghost!

Oliver Nazareth Aston is Fred, Scrooge's nephew as well as The Ghost of Christmas Future. It's the norm for the latter character not to be vocal in this play, but the spectre's voice was delivered in the form of his cello playing. Looking like The Angel of Death, the low mysterious notes of his playing gave this character an added air of menace. Another multi talented musician as well.

John Holt-Roberts plays Jacob Marley / Mr Fezziwig/ Mathilda's Father. These three characters give John a wide range of vocal acting ability, especially with Marley. His version of Scrooge's seven year past ex business partner really gives you the chills. He enters through double doors with enough stage mist to rival anything from "Stars In Their Eyes", but with a green glow. The chains that are there to laden Marley actually look and sound as if they are the real thing, and the effort that John takes to lug these lengths of chain onto the stage and into Scrooge's bedroom makes you believe in their density. A very different role to his last Derby Theatre appearance in "Welfare", and before that in "Kes", also at Derby Theatre.

Claire Lee Shenfield plays Belle, the young beau of young Scrooge /Mathilda/Lucy. Belle is such a lovely innocent and genteel role, but a woman who knows what she wants from Scrooge, as she has very simple tastes; tastes that fall below Scrooge's outlook. Claire is another incredible musician and violinist, and has a beautiful singing voice.

April Nerissa Hudson is Joan Cratchit / Madeleine/Charity Woman. Apart from everything else what struck me from the very start with April was her voice; absolutely stunning.

There's a mini live orchestra on stage, made up of the above musicians, producing some gorgeous festive, as well as atmospheric music. The folk feel of this soundtrack really places you, history wise, in the times of Scrooge and the Dickensian era.

Also on stage and adding more flesh to the bones of this Christmas feast are three groups of six young people, the Blue Team, Purple Team and The Yellow Team, taking turns to perform. I think on Monday night I experienced the Purple Team. If the other two teams are as professional and as talented as Monday's young ensemble, which I am every bit sure that they are, you're in for a great show, whichever group you see.

Directed by Tom Bellerby. The Director can radically change a play or show that you may have seen several times, as I have seen "A Christmas Carol" many times over the last twenty or so years, but making those changes enhance a well known show isn't as easy as it sounds without losing the initial love for a piece of theatre. Tom has done that spectacularly. We have festive folk versions of classic Christmas fare, snow and of course the important element of fear and menace, and a happy ending all round.

Musical Director & Arranger is Sonum Batra. As you've probably gathered if you got this far down my review, I love the arrangements of these pieces of music, and I love the way that they not only make you feel festive, but they make you feel as if you are in a completely different era, which enhances the enjoyment of a play like this. Deputy Musical Director is Eliza Waters.

Set & Costume Designer is Jess Curtis. I have, over the years, seen several different sets for this play, but this is almost quite stripped back compared with the Derby theatre production a few years ago when the centre piece was a giant clock face. the min features are three slimline exteriors of dwellings, which when revolved exhibit the slimline interiors, upstairs and down. These in turn are expanded on with props on stage to show a larger living area, such as the Cratchit's humble abode and Fred's more upmarket living area. There's also the wonderful but simple four poster bed that Scrooge has, and his moderate living area. There's also a headstone that rises through the stage which provides Scrooge with the realisation that he needs. A simple set that I imagine was not simple to create. 

The costumes were equally impressive, all adding to the Dickensian feel and, creepy as it was, the costume for the Ghost of Christmas Future was wonderfully dark.

Sound Designer is Ivan Stott. I have always said that the sound quality at derby Theatre is second to none, and the music sounded absolutely gorgeous. The acoustics lend themselves extremely well to the folk style music in this show, as well as the harmony singing. There were however a few missed mic cues which I am sure, as the run goes on, will be tightened up on.

Lighting Design is by Adam Foley. The light moments in "A Christmas Carol" are very well lit, as are the darker moments, whcih are kept in shadow. this may be a simplistic way of describing the lighting design, but more often than not, simplicity in the lighting department is what makes the design work. Unless you need special lighting effects or a full on rock concert style light design, keep everything simple, and that is exactly what we got, and that worked perfectly for me.

Movement Director is Jon Beney. The choreographed pieces were beautifully done, and while they looked as if anyone could master the steps shown in this particular style of dance, I bet they're not as easy as they look, or how these actors make the choreography look. If you love the "Bridgerton" or "Downton" style of dance, then you'll absolutely adore the choreography in "A Christmas Carol".

Start your festive period off on the right foot with this production.

"A Christmas Carol" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 4 January 2025.