{"id":151680,"date":"2023-11-24T14:21:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T04:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/?p=151680"},"modified":"2023-11-25T06:00:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T20:00:59","slug":"the-old-vics-a-christmas-carol-comedy-theatre-theatre-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/the-old-vics-a-christmas-carol-comedy-theatre-theatre-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol (Comedy Theatre) – theatre review"},"content":{"rendered":"

What a magical, beautifully constructed and executed show The Old Vic\u2019s A Christmas Carol is.\u00a0Conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus, Jack Thorne has reimagined the Charles Dickens\u2019 classic tale to mesmerising effect.\u00a0It is dramatic and melodic with humorous flourishes.\u00a0It recounts Dickens\u2019 famous 1843 novella with relish and a fresh perspective.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photos by Jeff Busby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I saw it last year with David Wenham played Ebenezer Scrooge, a role this year taken by Welshman Owen Teale.\u00a0I assure you he is every bit as good. In fact, Teale performed the role off the West End last year.\u00a0The Old Vic first introduced the play with music in November 2017.\u00a0At that time, Rhys Ifans was Scrooge and every year since the lead has been filled by a different actor.<\/p>\n

While the story of Scrooge, who was \u201chelped\u201d to discover the true meaning of Christmas, may be familiar, The Old Vic\u2019s interpretation is both delightful and surprising.\u00a0As we are led to our seats at the Comedy Theatre, we are immediately enchanted by what might best be described as a beautiful and detailed art installation.\u00a0In fact, it is literally hundreds of old-style glowing lanterns hanging from the ceiling at different heights, creating a most favourable first impression.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Before the play officially starts, we are welcomed by actors in Victorian costume freely distributing tarts.\u00a0Top hats and long black coats are staples as spirited musical accompaniment greets us from the stage.\u00a0It is a convivial environment, which quickly turns to bah and humbug when Scrooge enters the fray.<\/p>\n

A Christmas Carol is a marvellous production, which introduces us to the miserly workaholic Ebenezer Scrooge (Owen Teale), who is superb in the lead.\u00a0His in-character, demonstrative, fits of pique illustrate what a master of his craft he is.\u00a0Scrooge slams the door on choristers and gives short shrift to his nephew Fred (Andrew Coshan).\u00a0He implores his good-natured employee Bob Cratchit (Bernard Curry) to keep working long past dark on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It is while pouring over his books and counting his money that he is visited by the ghost of his dead partner Jacob Marley (Anthony Harkin). Marley informs Ebenezer that further apparitions are on the way.\u00a0They are the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Debra Lawrence), Present (Samantha Morley) and Future (Aisha Aidara).\u00a0It is through them that the story continues.<\/p>\n

Scrooge is reintroduced to his young, enthusiastic self (Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward).\u00a0He sees his beloved, deceased sister Little Fan (Aisha Aidara), their mean-spirited father (Anthony Harkin) and the love of his life, Belle (Sarah Morrison).\u00a0So, too, his overworked employee Bob Cratchit\u2019s (Bernard Curry) home environment, in which Bob interacts with his son Tiny Tim.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After the Ghost of Christmas Future\u2019s visit at the start of Act II, the tone shifts markedly.\u00a0That is when the previously obstinate and unsympathetic Scrooge has a change of heart.\u00a0Subsequently, shrieks of laughter ring out amongst the audience as a suddenly jovial Ebenezer embraces all.\u00a0Everything about this show is top shelf as Scrooge\u2019s life lesson hits home and turns his fate on its head.<\/p>\n

Owen Teale is a revelation as the rough and ready Scrooge who, after much persistence, undergoes a metamorphosis.\u00a0Of course, that only happens after he is presented with pointed visions.\u00a0Aisha Aidara is warm, friendly and doting as sibling Little Fan, who is also readily able to channel angst and exasperation as the Ghost of Christmas Future.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward is buoyant as Young Ebenezer, seemingly quite at home playing with his stuffed animals and dreaming of the future.\u00a0Bernard Curry\u2019s Bob Cratchit is the epitome of tolerance and understanding.\u00a0Anthony Harkin is menacing as Ebenezer\u2019s ill-tempered father and former business partner Jacob Marley.<\/p>\n

As nephew Fred, Andrew Coshan exudes bonhomie in the face of adversity.\u00a0Debra Lawrance stands for no nonsense as the Ghost of Christmas Past.\u00a0Samantha Morley gives as good as she gets as the Ghost of Christmas Present.\u00a0Sarah Morrison channels a melancholic and disappointed air as Belle.\u00a0Mighty impressive with her confident and convincing delivery and projection as Tiny Tim is seven-year-old Mira Feldman, making her professional theatre debut.\u00a0She is one of four alternates in the role.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The minimalist staging (set and costume design is by Rob Howell) is most effective and affecting.\u00a0Noteworthy are four doorframes that appear and disappear electronically, which mark the parameters of Scrooge\u2019s office.\u00a0As a door is figuratively closed or bolted shut, that is accompanied by heightened sound effects. \u00a0Earlier, I referenced the impact of the hanging shimmering lanterns, which are also piled up deliberately untidily on the ground at either side of the stage.\u00a0Simple, utilitarian props complete the picture.<\/p>\n

The period costuming transports us back in time, while the excellent lighting (from Hugh Vanstone) and sound (from Simon Baker) provide gravitas.\u00a0The music (composed and arranged by Christopher Nightingale) is nothing but ear pleasing.\u00a0The Old Vic\u2019s A Christmas Carol is simply delightful family entertainment.\u00a0The winner of five Tony Awards, it is poised and polished, joyful and triumphant \u2026 and heaps of fun.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It is playing at the Comedy Theatre until 7th<\/sup> January, 2024.<\/p>\n

Alex First<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What a magical, beautifully constructed and executed show The Old Vic\u2019s A Christmas Carol is.\u00a0Conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus, Jack Thorne has reimagined the Charles Dickens\u2019 classic tale to mesmerising effect.\u00a0It is dramatic and melodic with humorous flourishes.\u00a0It recounts Dickens\u2019 famous 1843 novella with relish and a fresh perspective. I saw it last year…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":151688,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[804,801],"tags":[7051,1032,594,27,9566,9565,6648,9564],"class_list":["post-151680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","category-theatre","tag-a-christmas-carol","tag-charles-dickens","tag-comedy-theatre","tag-family","tag-jack-thorne","tag-matthew-warchus","tag-owen-teale","tag-the-old-vic"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Old Vic's A Christmas Carol (Comedy Theatre) - theatre review -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/the-old-vics-a-christmas-carol-comedy-theatre-theatre-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Old Vic's A Christmas Carol (Comedy Theatre) - theatre review -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What a magical, beautifully constructed and executed show The Old Vic\u2019s A Christmas Carol is.\u00a0Conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus, Jack Thorne has reimagined the Charles Dickens\u2019 classic tale to mesmerising effect.\u00a0It is dramatic and melodic with humorous flourishes.\u00a0It recounts Dickens\u2019 famous 1843 novella with relish and a fresh perspective. 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Now it is Erik Thompson who plays Ebenezer Scrooge with distinction. In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_11_2024_a_christmas_carol_samantha_morley_erik_thomson_c_eugenehyland.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_11_2024_a_christmas_carol_samantha_morley_erik_thomson_c_eugenehyland.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_11_2024_a_christmas_carol_samantha_morley_erik_thomson_c_eugenehyland.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_11_2024_a_christmas_carol_samantha_morley_erik_thomson_c_eugenehyland.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":143657,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/a-christmas-carol-comedy-theatre-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":151680,"position":1},"title":"A Christmas Carol (Comedy Theatre) – theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"November 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The story of Scrooge who was \u201chelped\u201d to discover the true meaning of Christmas by ghosts may be familiar to most, but Old Vic\u2019s production is both delightful and surprising.\u00a0Conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus, Jack Thorne has reimagined the Charles Dickens\u2019 classic tale to mesmerising effect. As we are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Theatre"","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_acc_david_wenham_c_jeff_busby_1049.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_acc_david_wenham_c_jeff_busby_1049.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_acc_david_wenham_c_jeff_busby_1049.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_acc_david_wenham_c_jeff_busby_1049.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":168154,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/the-old-vics-a-christmas-carol-at-comedy-theatre-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":151680,"position":2},"title":"The Old Vic\u2019s A Christmas Carol, at Comedy Theatre – theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"December 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Each year I keep coming back for a repeat dose of Christmas cheer. Why? Because The Old Vic\u2019s A Christmas Carol is a fine, heartfelt and meaningful production, in which the actor who plays Scrooge changes from year to year. Charles Dickens\u2019 tale of greed at the expense of humanity\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_9_the_2025_production_of_a_christmas_carol_at_the_comedy_theatre_photo_by_michelle_hunder.jpg?fit=800%2C531&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_9_the_2025_production_of_a_christmas_carol_at_the_comedy_theatre_photo_by_michelle_hunder.jpg?fit=800%2C531&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_9_the_2025_production_of_a_christmas_carol_at_the_comedy_theatre_photo_by_michelle_hunder.jpg?fit=800%2C531&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_9_the_2025_production_of_a_christmas_carol_at_the_comedy_theatre_photo_by_michelle_hunder.jpg?fit=800%2C531&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":139457,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/a-christmas-carol-shake-and-stir-theatre-company-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":151680,"position":3},"title":"A Christmas Carol (shake and stir theatre company) \u2013 Theatre Review","author":"Meredith Walker","date":"December 7, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"At certain times of year or at a certain age we have perhaps all felt a little like the Ebenezer Scrooge of Charles Dickens\u2019 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. As shake and stir theatre company\u2019s adaptation reminds us, however, the cold-hearted elderly miser that we meet at the outset of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Theatre"","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_fell-9991-191129-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_fell-9991-191129-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_fell-9991-191129-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_fell-9991-191129-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7667,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/a-christmas-carol-qpac-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":151680,"position":4},"title":"A Christmas Carol (QPAC) – theatre review","author":"Eric Scott","date":"December 16, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The shake&stir team has created magic yet again. I have been reviewing the company for the past ten years and amazingly each of their show seemed better than the previous one. A Christmas Carol was no exception. And what exactly is the magic they make? For me it\u2019s the creation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Theatre"","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Christmas-Carol-03.jpg?fit=1024%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Christmas-Carol-03.jpg?fit=1024%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Christmas-Carol-03.jpg?fit=1024%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Christmas-Carol-03.jpg?fit=1024%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":151631,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/a-very-jewish-christmas-carol-mtc-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":151680,"position":5},"title":"A Very Jewish Christmas Carol (MTC) – theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"November 19, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Charles Dickens\u2019 Ebenezer Scrooge has never seen the likes of it.\u00a0Take the classic tale A Christmas Carol and put a Jewish twist on it.\u00a0That is what writer Elise Esther Hearst has done with Phillip Kavanagh \u2026 and they have absolutely nailed this world premiere.\u00a0Oy Humbug! Channel Seth Cohen (Adam Brody)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/rsz_16_mtc_a_verry_jewish_christmas_carol_photo_by_pia_johnson.jpg?fit=800%2C497&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/rsz_16_mtc_a_verry_jewish_christmas_carol_photo_by_pia_johnson.jpg?fit=800%2C497&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/rsz_16_mtc_a_verry_jewish_christmas_carol_photo_by_pia_johnson.jpg?fit=800%2C497&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/rsz_16_mtc_a_verry_jewish_christmas_carol_photo_by_pia_johnson.jpg?fit=800%2C497&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151680\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}