As mandarins fly chaotically across the venue and audience members sink their teeth into a little Christmas treat in the form of mince tarts, the scene is set for a lovely evening out.
'A Christmas Carol' – as the name suggests, is the perfect show to kick off the festive season, a nice little night out at the theatre for the whole family to share a classic tale.
This year’s production features veteran Aussie actor Erik Thomson in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, delivering each “bah humbug” with an underlying sense of warmth, joy and a little bit of larrikin energy. While his character is a grumpy and negative presence throughout much of the first act, Thomson brings a little something that lets the crowd know that his redemption arc isn’t too far off. As he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas eve, being provided depressing revelations about his own life, it is comforting to know that the latter half of the show will be filled with much more upbeat energy to carry the audience into the spirit of the season.
The production’s set is simple but effective, and a clever use of lighting helps to shift the mood throughout the show. Familiar, classic Christmas carols carry the story along, tugging on the strings of nostalgia for those who have an affinity for the festive season. The cast do a wonderful job of bringing this classic tale to life, hitting the comedic beats throughout and as the energy lifts. As the story begins to wrap up, the Christmas day scene preparing for Christmas lunch provides a fun opportunity for the audience to play a little part in the show with beautiful encouragement from the engaging cast.
Image © Eugene Hyland
A highlight of the show of course is Tiny Tim, the part being played by a rotating roster of youngsters. An absolute bundle of cuteness and ball of energy, the character plays an important part of helping the story go full-circle and endearing us to the once nasty and now reformed character of Scrooge.
Walking out into the warm Aussie summer night and getting coated with a layer of fake snow (in the form of foam being shot from canons on the Comedy Theatre roof), provides a magical end to a nice evening out. It’s easy to see why this show is a seasonal classic that has audiences returning as productions continue to be put on year after year. Leaving the theatre, you simply can’t help but feel completely in the spirit of the season!
