REVIEW | A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic)
A Christmas Carol (online)
The Old Vic
★★★★★
If someone was to ask me what was the one thing I watched without fail every Christmas it would be A Christmas Carol. I have always been grasped by the Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. The old curmudgeonly hermit who avoids the Christmas cheer that surrounds him. On Christmas Eve he is haunted by a series of ghosts in the hope that it’ll change his wicked ways. It’s been done time and time on stage, my last visit to a production of it was at The RSC in 2019. I love how different everybody’s portrayal of this iconic storyline is and The Old Vic was no different when it brought its 2019 production as part of their Old Vic: In Camera series this Christmas.
Filmed against the eerie backdrop of an empty Old Vic auditorium, a true delight comes to life before our very eyes through Zoom. The standard of delivery in this production is well accomplished, almost as if it was always created for the digital format. The different perspectives and views portrayed in this story are really emphasised by the tricks of the camera. I felt like I was thrust deep into the action from the very beginning.
I loved the many adaptations of this story, particularly the Muppets take on it! Jack Thorne’s adaptation of the 1843 classic amps up Scrooge’s backstory as we move through present and future. The part where we are introduced to Tiny Tim particularly pulls on the heart strings of not just Scrooge, but the audience too. The emotional rollercoaster of Scrooge’s story and journey is supported by a chorus of spirits and street folk with pipes, whistles and handbells. They really bring through the Victorian era in such a vast performance space.
At the heart of this haunting retelling is Andrew Lincoln. He portrays a cold-hearted, battered but still vigorous Scrooge. Lincoln does a fine job in his performance and I really warmed to his more redeemed character at the end of the story. He is supported on stage by a fantastic cast, including a humble and dedicated Bob Cratchit from John Dagleish and a jovial Fezziwig from Clive Rowe.
I thoroughly enjoyed what The Old Vic managed to do that was fresh and exciting for a much-loved classic story. I would definitely watch it again.
You can enjoy A Christmas Carol as part of the The Old Vic: In Camera until Christmas Eve. Book your tickets by visiting their website.