Image Credit Richard Hubert Smith
(5 / 5)
Taking two children (11 and 12) to see a production of the Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ and knowing nothing about the production was a risk. I’d heard it was quite long, I was worried it might be very dour and maybe the language would be inaccessible for youngsters. I’ve also experienced other Christmas productions which were quite ‘arty’ interpretations of classic tales (e.g. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – when during the interval I heard a child ask their parent ‘Mummy what’s an Aslan’?) and clearly went way above their heads. So, I was fairly surprised to see a variety of instruments on and before the stage as we came into the comfortable auditorium. I was also reassured to see a detailed set of a traditional snowy, Victorian street scene, as I’d feared a minimalist, abstract set that might not convey the oppressive Dickensian atmosphere. The opening seconds of the performance also did not disappoint – a dramatic musical flourish and a burst of coloured light revealed the silhouette of our ‘protagonist’ complete with tilted top hat and heavy winter coat. And that readers, was the end of all the traditionalism……
‘He’ was not a he at all – this Cardiff dwelling, Ebenezer Scrooge (or Ebbie) is a cello-playing, powerhouse of a woman with the stature and stage presence to intimidate all but the bravest of souls. Hannah McPake strides around the stage, glaring and hollering at anyone who tries to drag her into the spirit of Christmas and merely laughs at the impending threat of her three night-time visitors.
It’s difficult to know where to start reviewing the rest of the cast – each of them taking on at least two but most often four or five other characters through-out the show – but undoubtedly what they all have in common is an abundance of talent! It is honestly breathtaking the quality of the acting, singing and musical skills we were treated to by this accomplished cast. We had a harp, an accordion, a saxophone, we had puppets, we had slapstick comedy, tears and anguish, romance and West-End quality voices from a cast of only 8 and there wasn’t one amongst them that didn’t add to the richness of the experience we had in the Sherman Theatre that evening.
The subtle beauty of the ghost of Christmas past (Catrin Mai Edwards) – beautiful Welsh vocals and evocative storytelling had me transported to Victorian Cardiff and entranced. Then, listed only as ‘Apprentice Actor’ in the programme, our hearts were all broken by the perfect tones of Madalena Juma as Ebbie’s Mum forced to give him up as she was sent to the Workhouse. ‘Apprentice’ she may be, but she is definitely mastering her craft most ably as she held her own amongst this accomplished company.
After the emotion and the drama of the past, and still laughing in the face of her past crimes and misdemeanours, Ebbie and the audience are confronted with (or maybe ‘assaulted by’) the Ghost of Christmas Present…..what can I say about Owen Alun as the Ghost of Christmas Present? There are no words – suffice to say that EVERYONE needs a ‘Ginger North Walian’ in their lives at Christmas (and frankly all year around!). No spoilers here – you have to experience it!
In a very modern backstory, we got insight into the reasons behind Ebbie’s notorious miserliness and the drama was built as we thought the Ghost of Christmas Present had finally cracked through her hard shell and Ebbie would be saved from the torment and chains endured by her former business partner Marley, but alas she soon slipped back into her old ways. Bring on the mighty Ghost of Christmas Future!
The creativity of this production is wonderful – the four ghosts (including Marley of course) could not be more different – they are humorous, enchanting, ridiculous and terrifying and take the audience on a rollercoaster of emotion through-out the nearly two-hour production. There is so much attention to detail in the set, the costumes, the vulnerable delicacy of the puppet children, the music and the songs – it combines to make a perfect evening. Last Christmas I had the pleasure of seeing Disney’s Aladdin at another venue in Cardiff – the big budget spectacular was incredible and left me feeling joyous and uplifted, but I can honestly say that the exuberant feeling as I jumped to my feet to explode into applause with the rest of the audience after this production, was absolutely no less life-affirming and the first thing I did when I got home was have a look to see if there are still tickets available to go again! This is pretty much a first for me – I don’t think I’ve seen any production twice in my life! It was heartening to hear that my 11-year-old son and his friend loved it to, and he’d also be willing to spend another evening in the company of this incredible cast! Oh, and if you’re wondering who his favourite character was?…….That well-known Dickens character – the business bauble! You’ll just have to go and find out for yourself!