Scrooge the Musical
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Performing now until November 19
BAH humbug! The well-loved phrase from Charles Dickens’ novel - Scrooge is back.
The opening night of Scrooge the Musical at Venue Cymru, Llandudno and only a few words spring to mind - do not miss this Christmas gem.
Scrooge is a tale many will remember from childhood, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic 1843 story - A Christmas Carol.
Ebenezer Scrooge, a tight fisted businessman hates Christmas and is feared amongst his towns folk (who all owe him a shilling or two!).
We join the characters on Christmas Eve, where we meet Scrooge, played by the wonderful Tommy Steele, and his underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit.
After chasing his debts and causing misery for his fellow business men and women, Scrooge returns home - but he is not alone.
Step forward Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner who died seven years ago to the day, who is there with a warning for Scrooge to change his ways.
What follows are visits by three ghosts: Christmas past, present and future.
Reminding Scrooge of the Christmas’s he was happy, to showing the death of Bob Cratchit’s youngest son Tiny Tim.
The set was magnificent, and I have never seen illusions like it on stage (specially created by magician Paul Kieve acclaimed for the magic effects in the Harry Potter films).
Ghosts were appearing and re-appearing in front of my eyes.
The costumes were incredible, with the ghost of Christmas present looking just like I remembered in the 1970 film version - full beard, with a bright and colourful cloak.
The ghost of Christmas future was also just as scary as I remembered, a huge figure (double the size of Scrooge), dressed in black and unspoken.
The cast were exceptional, and there were obviously many Tommy Steele fans in the audience - I thought the gentleman’s hands next to me were going to drop off after all the clapping.
A must for all Christmas fans, this really is a heartwarming family story, coupled with songs including Christmas Children, I Like Life and Thank You Very Much, all tunes I am still humming today.
Spectacular stage, costume, acting, singing and dancing - it really is no surprise this is an award winning musical - bah humbug!
NJ