Joy Watters thinks the Lyceum's production is 'everything you would want of a Christmas show'.
The Lyceum's production of Charles Dickens' classic tale is, quite simply, everything you would want of a Christmas show. It tells a great story, is tremendously engaging and appeals to all ages with its vigour.
The tale of the great divide between rich and poor has a moral which stands for all time. Heartless old miser Scrooge finally awakens on Christmas Eve to the hardships of the poor and the realisation that he can make a difference. Helping his impoverished clerk, Bob Cratchit and his family and accepting the hand of friendship from his nephew Fred, Scrooge enjoys his first Christmas. Neil Duffield's stage adaptation does not mess with the original but keeps it flowing while director Andrew Panton creates an energetic production punctuated with lots of lovely traditional Christmas carols and music.
Christopher Fairbank as Scrooge leads a talented company. Initially his grizzled mien is hard as iron as he castigates the lower orders who have brought all their hardships on themselves in his book. The visits of the ghosts of his former business partner, Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come are greeted with terror and then understanding, and Fairbank makes the transition from self-interested businessman to benefactor a delight to behold. The rest of the ensemble take on several roles apiece, convincingly peopling the stage with the rich characters that are the hallmark of Dickens.
It is a good-looking, colourful production. Alex Lowde’s sets and costumes designs impress and the scene changes look effortless as the production rattles along. There's also lots of music to underline the festive mood, from the singing of carols to a touch of brass in the traditional tunes.
Runs at the Lyceum in Edinburgh until January 4.
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