Birmingham Rep until 5th January 2025
**** “Christmas has arrived in style”
The seasonal starting festive gun has officially been sounded courtesy of The Birmingham Rep’s classic retelling of the hugely successful yuletide yarn by Charles Dickens. A slightly more eerie version of the oh so well-known tale of redemption, forgiveness, and generosity. Good old Mr Scrooge is visited by ex-business partner Jacob Marley, who immediately brings his old partner face to face with the consequences of his actions both in business and family terms. Hot on the heels of Marley comes night-time visits by the trio of Spirits, past, present, and future. The painful past, the uncaring present and the inevitable doom of the future. The upshot of the visits for Scrooge is a delightful and very seasonal transformation, aided by snowflakes and jolly old carol singers.
Mark Gatiss who adapted the novella for the stage is an avid fan of the story and his care and desire for detail shines through in spade. The towering design by Paul Willis is an eye-catching delight, and in amongst the Victorian smog and darkness there is a slice of embracing warmth. Matthew Cottle navigates the journey of Ebenezer with polished ease and style and with an underplay that is superbly crafted. Rufus Hound is an assertive, lofty, and compelling Marley, he also pops up in several other cameo roles and is watchable throughout. The supporting cast energise every scene with plenty of role changing and doubling up, the company dancing and choral moments stand out as highlights.
The surprise element, and indeed the promised emphasis on the ghostly is a little lacking and doesn’t quite deliver. But the flavour of tradition and bedside storytelling is palpable and conveys in more ways than one just the right amount of Christmas spirit. Scrooge and Christmas has arrived at The Rep in style.
David Robinson
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