(Adam Dore & Marc
Kay)
Enjoyable festive season family entertainment perfectly captures
the spirit and sentiment of the original story. (Review by Keith Millar)
Charles Dickens wrote his timeless Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol, over 170 years ago.
It has been adapted for stage and screen on numerous occasions and, with its
message about the true meaning of Christmas, it remains as relevant today as it
ever was.
It is an abridged version of this meaningful and ultimately
heart-warming story that the innovative Actors Unemployed Company (AUC) are
staging at Durban’s Rhumbelow Theatre over this festive season.
Scrooge: A Christmas
Carol perfectly captures the spirit and sentiment of the original story.
Most of the marvellous characters which are central to the narrative are
introduced. All are played, as is usual in children’s theatre, somewhat larger
than life and are delightfully entertaining.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a cantankerous old man. He has no time for
Christmas. His poorly-treated employee, Bob Cratchit, invites him home for
Christmas. But Scrooge refuses and says it is all humbug. On Christmas Eve,
Scrooge is confronted by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and
is shown the error of his ways. He changes his miserly behaviour and learns the
true meaning of Christmas.
Marc Kay is a delectably grumpy and irascible Scrooge while
Adam Dore is suitably humble as Bob Cratchit. Cratchit’s, sickly and crippled
son Tiny Tim is played by Mtho Zulu. Between the three of them, they also
handle all the other characters and voice-overs.
The AUC makes considerable use of their signature shadow
puppetry to help tell the story. They have also worked many opportunities for
audience participation into their script and this was thoroughly enjoyed by all
present. Included was a game of 20 questions as well as the children having to
shout out what they wanted for Christmas. My three year-old grandson ordered a
chocolate train.
After the production the actors held a short and very
informative workshop on the manipulation of puppets. Everyone was given the
opportunity to play with a puppet and to practice the funny voices they would
need for their characters. These innovative workshops, which have become a
regular feature at the AUC productions at the Rhumbelow Theatre, certainly add
an extra dimension to the youngsters’ enjoyment of their theatre experience.
Scrooge: A Christmas
Carol is enjoyable festive season family entertainment which would keep the
holiday boredom at bay for a while. I leave the last word to Tiny Tim – “God
Bless us, every one!”
The show runs until December 23 and then again from January
4 to 10. Shows are at 10h00 except for December 21 and January 4, 7 and 10 when
the performance starts at 14h00. Tickets R60 are limited so don’t delay –
bookings through Computicket or Ailsa on 083 250 2690 or email roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com –
Keith Millar
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