Scrooge - The Musical (2005)
Performed at The Dovehouse Theatre
Langley School Arts Centre, Olton, Solihull B92 7ER
29 November - 3 December 2005 (six performances)
Ebenezer Scrooge has swapped the love of people for the love of money. It is Christmas Eve and he is to be visited by three spirits who show him how things might have been…
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Sing a Christmas carol, the toy shop window and Scrooge at work
The crowd gathers on Christmas Eve, Tiny Tim, Cathy and the Puppeteer, Tom Jenkins the hot soup seller
Review from The Solihull Times, Wednesday 14 December 2005:
Scrooge proves to be a SMASHScrooge, Dovehouse Theatre
As I entered the Dovehouse Theatre to watch the latest performance by SMASH, Solihull Methodists Acting and Singing in Harmony, I was transported back to Victorian England. The performance of Leslie Bricusse’s musical Scrooge not only boasted a cast of talented actors and singers but also some fantastically intricate costumes and special effects of a quality that I have not before seen on an amateur stage.
Alan Faulkner played the eponymous hero brilliantly, showing a trajectory of emotions as Scrooge learnt from his past, and we learnt why his life has been so cold.
Iain Cameron was thoroughly and wonderfully convincing as the ghost of Jacob Marley, his vocal range showed the black humour of the character and he encompassed the irony and searingly scornful laughter needed.
I had not seen this musical before, and was impressed with the intricate score. Peter Farndon made full use of technology to bring a complete ensemble of instruments into the small Dovehouse Theatre and his conducting ensured a beautiful harmony with a complex arrangement.
LRB
The sisters Dilber and Scrooge, Mr Jollygoode, Ebenezer Scrooge and Mr Hearty, Scrooge at home
Scrooge’s supper takes to the air. Scrooge is visited by his old partner Jacob Marley. Scrooge visits his old school where the school choir is singing.
Scrooge’s sister, Jenny, and himself at school. Ebenezer’s employers, the Fezziwigs, wish everyone a happy December 25th.
Happiness: Isabel, the Fezziwigs’ daughter and young Ebenezer. Young Ebenezer chooses money rather than the love of Isabel as Scrooge and Christmas Past look on. The Ghost of Christmas Past prepares to leave through the mirror.
Christmas Past (Jenny, Scrooge’s sister) gives Scrooge a last message. The Ghost of Christmas Present appears. Scrooge enjoys a drink of the milk of human kindness
The toy shop window comes to life
The Cratchit family wish everyone a Happy Christmas. Tiny Tim and his wish. Scrooge’s nephew’s guests playing the musical game ‘The Minister’s Cat’.
Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Scrooge and Marley in hell. Scrooge - a new beginning with his family.
The company. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes a break during rehearsals.
Some comments from our audience via email:
The show last night was brill. I was most impressed with the costumes - and all down to two people mainly!! It really was very well rehearsed with everyone confident and really in character. It certainly tops last year’s show. Good effects on stage too. Well done to everyone - a big success. The only downside is that it will have to be followed by something equally great!
We went to the Thursday performance. Our reaction was one of utter amazement! The sets were wonderful and so cleverly moved around by the stage hands. The choreography was professional. What can we say about the costumes? So many people to dress and every one individually designed. As for the effects, they had us spellbound. How on earth did the ghost get through that mirror? We have come to expect a high standard and SMASH did not let us down. All accompanied by superb music of course!
Yet another winner for SMASH - the show was characterised by creative adaptation and staging, colourful costumes, the high quality of scoring and sound that we have come to expect… , some delightful, heart stopping and at times tear jerking moments from the children, well crafted performances from our old stagers - all with some ‘wow’ moments - and the emergence of two shining stars in Tiny Tim (I knew the lad had talent!) and Marley’s Ghost (a skilled performance of depth and character - ‘full many a pearl..!’)
Superb as usual. Movement, vitality, message: all there.