Families looking for a festive treat at the theatre can be spoiled for choice as the Christmas season takes hold.
But the seasonal production at the Octagon has become a very safe bet over the years for offering a hugely enjoyable night (or afternoon) out.
And this year's offering is no exception. A Christmas Carol is a great story very well told. Yes, there will be far more spectacular shows this Christmas but few will have the heart and message that director Sarah Tipple has brought to Bolton.
Written by Kate Ferguson and featuring the music and lyrics of Susannah Pearce, this Christmas Carol is a fairly traditional take on the Dickens' classic with a few twists - a scooter riding ghost of Christmas present and the world's smallest ghost of Christmas future spring to mind.
The cast of five work extraordinarily hard to bring the tale to life showing their great versatility as all-round performers. The harmonies on some of the songs are worthy of admission alone.
David Birrell is a fine Scrooge, the miser who hates Christmas. Often Scrooge is a bit of a caricature but his Ebeneezer has a sense of humour, admittedly a dark one, and is far from a 'bah humbug' stereotype.
Taken on a trip back to school by the Ghost of Christmas Past we're given a glimpse into what made him the curmudgeon he has become, effectively abandoned by his family at boarding school.
Urged to change his ways before it's too late by a selection of ghostly visitors, you actually warm to Scrooge wanting him to embrace friendship and show some humanity.
For families worried about a show which has four ghosts essential to the plot, they're not overly scary. Marley's Ghost has a skeleton mask, Hannah Brown's Ghost of Christmas Past has a glittery cape and Lucy Keirl's Ghost of Christmas Present is, well, slightly bonkers. The most creepy was the Ghost of Christmas Present, a silent cloaked figure played by one of the excellent child actors in the production which had a touch of the movie Don't Look Now to it.
No Christmas show would be complete without a little bit of audience participation, even A Christmas Carol. So there's a chance to dance and singalong at the Fezziwig Christmas party which was a big hit with younger members of the audience.
There are plenty of silly jokes thrown in but the production steers clear of becoming too 'pantomimey'.
Staged 'in the round', there's little by way of scenery - the odd table and chair are whisked on and off with great efficiency. Special mention should be made of the lighting which really adds to the atmosphere and the songs are an integral part of the show rather than just being an afterthought as can sometimes happen.
A Christmas Carol is just what you want for a festive production - it's bright, uplifting and very enjoyable; a show that will most definitely appeal to all ages.
Until Saturday, January 10. Details from www.octagonbolton.co.uk
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