Ian Cheeseman is thoroughly won over by the Octagon Theatre’s musical, in-the-round retelling of Dickens’ festive classic.
Just when I thought I had seen the best theatrical versions of A Christmas Carol, and I have seen a few, the production staged at Bolton’s Octagon hit me for six.
Performed in the round, and presented as a musical, this is a striking and imaginative piece of theatre. The beautiful music is written by Susannah Pearse and the show is directed by Sarah Tipple, clearly two hugely talented artists.
The Charles Dickens epic we all know and love was given more emotional depth than I have ever seen before, and the contrast between light and shade has rarely been told better. David Birrell, as Scrooge, revealed every facet of humanity in an enthralling performance, and his singing voice felt on a par with the best Valjeans I have seen on stage. It was a superb interpretation of this classic figure of redemption.
I had the pleasure of chatting to two members of this outstanding cast before seeing the show. William Donaldson tried to convince me that this was the greatest performance of his career so far. I was sceptical. William has performed Shakespeare and much more, so surely this could not top those experiences? Having now seen him in A Christmas Carol, I can understand exactly what he meant.
This powerful and emotional production, supported by a glorious soundtrack, felt faultless. Hannah Brown, as Christmas Past, and Lucy Keirl, as Belle, were perfectly cast, while Conor Neaves brought versatility and joy to his role as Mr Fezziwig. Even his subtle walk-ons added texture and warmth that some audience members may not have consciously noticed, but which enriched the whole production.
It felt like a very good sign that I wanted the interval to be over as soon as it began. Like Oliver, I wanted more. I was certainly not disappointed by the second half and felt just as satisfied by the final course. The music matched the quality of the acting throughout and left me wanting to buy the soundtrack.
The story may centre on one man’s redemption, but it remains powerfully relevant today, particularly as modern society can so often lack empathy for those less fortunate. Something clicks with Scrooge, and one hopes that same realisation can resonate beyond the stage, reminding us that the spirit of Christmas should last all year.
A Christmas Carol runs at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton until January 10. Go and see it if you can. You will not regret it.