Theatre Review: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at the Birmingham Rep
AD: This Press Night Review refers to the 2024 Production of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at the Birmingham Rep
The festive season is (almost) upon us, which means that everyone has to watch at least one version of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”. I’m not going to lie, in our household that usually means The Muppet Christmas Carol. But this year we have the opportunity to view a more recent adaptation, masterminded by Mark Gatiss (Dracula, The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock, The Way Old Friends Do), in a production led by Matthew Cottle as Ebeneezer Scrooge, and Rufus Hound as Jacob Marley.
This Victorian “ghost-story-at-Christmas” surely needs little introduction. The story follows Scrooge, a cold-hearted businessman who undergoes a transformative journey on Christmas Eve at the hand of three spirits showing him the past, the present and what is yet to come. He faces the consequences of his past actions, whilst pondering the potential future if he continues treading the same path.
“The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune”
As the performance begins, towers of filing cabinets dwarf Marley and Scrooge as we get an unusual peak at the relationship between the misanthropic misers, and a darkly comic flashback of Marley’s demise. This leads to the famous opening line of the novel: “Marley was dead: to begin with”. And sure enough, seven Christmas Eves later, Marley makes a shuffling, rattling comeback
Gatiss blends horror and black humour in his trademark manner, injecting the script with playfulness and wit whilst remaining faithful to the original. Matthew Cottle skilfully portrays Scrooge’s journey from villain to Christmas convert. His Scrooge is pompous and mean, but displays a childish vulnerability. He’s pensive and fearful, which plays a bigger part in his redemption than the desire to help others. Cottle is barely off stage for the entire production, working hard even when he is not the focus of the scene.
Rufus Hound takes on the role of Jacob Marley. One moment he’s alive and kicking, equally cruel as Scrooge, and next he’s rattling his chains and warning his former business partner of his fate. Hound plays Marley with chilling horror. If it seems like a brief role, rest assured that Hound pops up throughout in various other guises.
“The case of this unhappy man might be my own“
Our three ghosts of the past, present and future are bewitching spectres, with Grace Hogg-Robinson as a particularly ethereal Ghost of Christmas Past. Mark Theodore plays a charismatic Ghost of Christmas Present, a bon-viveur liberally sprinkling Christmas cheer across the performers. A familiar face returns as the macabre Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.
Geoffrey Beevers is our narrator, guiding us through the story, and his presence gives us a little heart-warming moment at the end too. A special mention goes to Oscar Batterham, who plays devoted husband and father Bob Cratchit with a gentle compassion. Those who recently watched the Rep’s amazing “Becoming Nancy” may recognise Rebecca Trehearn, swapping her blond Debbie Harry wig for the pink cardigan of Mrs Cratchit amongst multiple other roles. In fact, all of the talented ensemble play multiple roles, yet it never gets confusing thanks to subtle costume changes.
The stylish set design by Paul Wills reveals that the Rep’s stage is much bigger than I ever imagined. The towers of cabinets are moved around the stage by the performers, making way for seamless scene changes transporting us to cobbled streets, misty graveyards and the warmth of a family home at Christmastime. Evocative sound and lighting effects by Ella Wahlström and Philip Gladwell respectively weave a supernatural spell on the auditorium.
“He knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the Knowledge“
The cast are supported by clever puppetry (designed by Matthew Forbes), and there are some delightful theatrical tricks to immerse the delighted audience in the spooky atmosphere. Bells toll and shadows dance around the periphery. I’m not sure if its the set design or all the cough medicine I’ve been taking.
This spine-tingling retelling of the Charles Dickens classic is perfect for the festive season. It’s haunting, humorous and heartwarming.
Banish the Bah Humbug and purchase your tickets now! A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story plays at the Birmingham Rep until Sunday 5th January 2025. Purchase your tickets here.
Production images by Ellie Kurtz
