What the Dickens! The Octagon’s gone and done it again. For anyone looking for a fantastic festive family treat then a trip to see A Christmas Carol should be right at the top of your list.
This new interpretation of a classic is funny, hugely entertaining and surprisingly moving.
There’s a real heart to this production directed by Georgia Murphy and it strikes a real chord with audiences still dealing with the impact of coming out of Covid lockdown and facing an uncertain economic future.
Somehow it is both traditional - there’s a wonderful Victorian glow over the theatre in the round - and yet is it also bang up to date.
Read all about Director's vision for A Christmas Carol at the Octagon
The story of the workaholic miser who despises Christmas and is shown the error of his ways by a series of ghostly visitations on Christmas Eve is well known.
But this production is both fresh and enlightening. Through the words of Kate Ferguson and the songs of Susannah Pearce A Christmas Carol has a real charm and depth to it.
At the centre of the production is Laurie Jamieson as Ebenezer. It would be all too easy for him to descend into caricature but his Scrooge is a very human, flawed individual. You can feel his confusion as everyone around him celebrates Christmas while he himself is left unmoved. The shell he has built up around himself over the years has made him world weary and cynical and yet hugely vulnerable
At times you can feel him channelling his inner Rigsby - this is a Scrooge with a real sense of humour. Part grumpy old man, part victim of his upbringing we learn about his lost loves and as an audience we rejoice as he sees the error of his ways.
The remaining cast of five actor musicians all deserve huge praise. Between them they play over 40 different instruments - ranging from a double bass on wheels to a xylophone - as well as playing a wide range of roles.
Any production of A Christmas Carol has to be measured on the quality of its ghosts and the Octagon has got some special spirits.
Jonathan Charles’ arrival as the ghost of Jacob Marley will make you jump and he is a bit scary; Lauren Patel’s Ghost of Christmas Past is angelic, a celestial tour guide to Scrooge’s past which explains much of who is has become. But the real stand out is Lianne Harvey’s slightly deranged Ghost of Christmas Present. Dressed as a Christmas tree and riding a festive Chopper bike she’s hilarious.
The first half of the show is really good - including a totally unexpected audience participation section in The Fezziwig dance (you have been warned).
But in the second act it really shifts gears and is pure class. Don’t be surprised to discover that amid all the laughter - it’s a very funny production - you will have a lump in your throat.
It’s a wonderfully timely reminder about the importance of family and keeping in touch with loved ones. You’ll be thinking about what you have seen long after the finals bows have been taken. So give yourself a festive treat and go along and enjoy it.
A Christmas Carol is at the Octagon, Bolton until Saturday, January 14. Details from www.octagonbolton.co.uk
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