A Christmas Carol
Written by Neil Bartlett from the novel by Charles Dickens
Director: Scott Witt for Queensland Theatre Company
Starring: Bryan Probets, Kerith Atkinson, Sandro Colarelli and Adam Couper
Venue: Cremorne Theatre
Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Michael Gow could easily have said “bah, humbug” to Christmas.
After all, the company has no great tradition of seasonal shows, and it could easily be argued that its subscribers couldn’t care less whether the final play for the year comes with a cherry on top.
Yet Gow has boldly grasped the opportunity to present the familiar story of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in a new context. To do so, he’s chosen an original, offbeat adaptation by British writer-director Neil Bartlett, secured the best comedic director at his disposal in Scott Witt and engaged a cast of local favourites to present what can only be described as a Christmas cracker.
If you go into this expecting a straight reading of the classic Charles Dickens tale, then you’ll be surprised, even shocked. Indeed, there were muted cries of something that sounded like “heresy” around the theatre on opening night.
Although the set is suitably sombre and the characters are dressed in dreary monochrome, it’s obvious from the outset that the powerful poetry of the Victorian masterpiece will be served with all the trimmings you’d expect – and many you wouldn’t. Thus we have songs, silly voices, exaggerated costumes and props, dramatic use of colour and a ventriloquist’s dummy where Tiny Tim ought to be.
At its heart is the deeply resonant story of a miserly old businessman who has shut himself off from life and would, if he could, deny the simple pleasures of the season to his employees and his only living relative.
Ebeneezer Scrooge, played wickedly well by Bryan Probets, only sees the
true meaning of Christmas after encountering the ghost of his dead partner Jacob Marley and three spirits who allow him glimpses into his own childhood, into the circumstances of his employee Bob Cratchit and his nephew, and into Christmas yet to come.
It’s a journey that occurs swiftly and mostly joyously, although there’s a political message in this story of a wealthy man who believes the plight of the poor is “not my business”.
Witt, whose experience is with clowning and physical comedy, has a deft hand for the humorous that is complemented by absurdly amazing costumes by designer Jonathon Oxlade and an incredible soundscape composed by Adam Couper (who plays Crachit and other characters).
Bravo to Probets for his Scrooge – a character aptly described by Gow as “Hamlet in mistletoe” – and to the whole ensemble (Kerith Atkinson, Helen Cassidy, Sandro Colarelli, Adam Couper, Peter Knapman, Joss McWilliam and Niki-J Witt) for breathing fresh life into this classic.
If you’re having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, set off to see this play before you brave the shops and the office party.
You’ll get a laugh and a topical reminder of what it is, or what it ought to be, to be human.
Director: Scott Witt for Queensland Theatre Company
Starring: Bryan Probets, Kerith Atkinson, Sandro Colarelli and Adam Couper
Venue: Cremorne Theatre
Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Michael Gow could easily have said “bah, humbug” to Christmas.
After all, the company has no great tradition of seasonal shows, and it could easily be argued that its subscribers couldn’t care less whether the final play for the year comes with a cherry on top.
Yet Gow has boldly grasped the opportunity to present the familiar story of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in a new context. To do so, he’s chosen an original, offbeat adaptation by British writer-director Neil Bartlett, secured the best comedic director at his disposal in Scott Witt and engaged a cast of local favourites to present what can only be described as a Christmas cracker.
If you go into this expecting a straight reading of the classic Charles Dickens tale, then you’ll be surprised, even shocked. Indeed, there were muted cries of something that sounded like “heresy” around the theatre on opening night.
Although the set is suitably sombre and the characters are dressed in dreary monochrome, it’s obvious from the outset that the powerful poetry of the Victorian masterpiece will be served with all the trimmings you’d expect – and many you wouldn’t. Thus we have songs, silly voices, exaggerated costumes and props, dramatic use of colour and a ventriloquist’s dummy where Tiny Tim ought to be.
At its heart is the deeply resonant story of a miserly old businessman who has shut himself off from life and would, if he could, deny the simple pleasures of the season to his employees and his only living relative.
Ebeneezer Scrooge, played wickedly well by Bryan Probets, only sees the
true meaning of Christmas after encountering the ghost of his dead partner Jacob Marley and three spirits who allow him glimpses into his own childhood, into the circumstances of his employee Bob Cratchit and his nephew, and into Christmas yet to come.
It’s a journey that occurs swiftly and mostly joyously, although there’s a political message in this story of a wealthy man who believes the plight of the poor is “not my business”.
Witt, whose experience is with clowning and physical comedy, has a deft hand for the humorous that is complemented by absurdly amazing costumes by designer Jonathon Oxlade and an incredible soundscape composed by Adam Couper (who plays Crachit and other characters).
Bravo to Probets for his Scrooge – a character aptly described by Gow as “Hamlet in mistletoe” – and to the whole ensemble (Kerith Atkinson, Helen Cassidy, Sandro Colarelli, Adam Couper, Peter Knapman, Joss McWilliam and Niki-J Witt) for breathing fresh life into this classic.
If you’re having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, set off to see this play before you brave the shops and the office party.
You’ll get a laugh and a topical reminder of what it is, or what it ought to be, to be human.
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