A Christmas Carol

This is a pantomime that broadly follows the plot of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, but it concentrates on the more comic elements and family themes to engage all age groups. Not all the characters are portrayed as in the original story. There are also new characters including a Narrator who helps to move the show along through interactions with the audience, Sid Spectre an additional ghost and Rapscallion a cheeky cockney street urchin.

The opening scenes develop Scrooge’s character to emphasise his meanness to others particularly through comedic interactions. We are introduced to Fred his nephew and various visitors to his business premises. Last but not least we meet his put upon but loyal employee Bob Cratchit who has a poor but happy family which includes the ever suffering youngest son, Tiny Tim.

Scrooge, the mean old skinflint, now runs his money lending business alone as his partner Jacob Marley passed away seven years ago. Jacob comes back to haunt him with his comic side kick Sid Spectre. Together they try to teach him the error of his ways. This of course fails. Jacob then tells Scrooge of what will take place over the coming three nights.

This then sets the show up for the introduction of the three ghosts who in turn hilariously and tragically transport him back and forth through time to see his past present and future, all aided and abetted by the spectres and other pantomime characters.

Scrooge resists the appeals to change and is eventually confronted by his own mortality and the impact of his continued heartlessness towards others.

The Ghosts efforts are eventually rewarded and we are left with an uplifting scene as Scrooge is re united with his nephew. Scrooge has reflected on his life and his attitude towards Christmas and indeed humanity and he has realised that he has missed out on much and is determined to make amends. The main recipients of his largesse are his family, Bob Cratchit and of course Tiny Tim.