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Dance: A Christmas Carol

Northern Carol filled with fun, fear and festive cheer

A Christmas Carol

Touring

3 Stars

Now in its 21st year, Northern Ballet's A Christmas Carol has lost none of its festive sparkle.

The ever-popular family production, choreographed by Massimo Moricone, is a thoroughly entertaining mish-mash of ballet, musical theatre and drama wrapped up in Lez Brotherston's multi-level Victorian set.

The stage is flanked by frosted sash windows through which the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future enter and there's a staircase which ingeniously transforms into Scrooge's counting house or the bustling family hovel of put-upon clerk Bob Cratchit (Kenneth Tindall). Within this constantly changing space, the elements of slapstick, poignancy, joy and terror are played out.

The prat-falling comedy of Scrooge's first employers, the gently inebriated Fezziwigs (Thomas Aragones and Hannah Bateman), contrasts with a moving duet between the young protagonist and his soon to be ex-fiancée Belle (Hironao Takahashi and Pippa Moore).

Likewise, the gold dust sprinkled, green-and-red velvet costume of the Ghost of Christmas Present (Sean Bates) is offset by the terrifyingly ragged-clothed, sepulchral ghost of Christmas Future (Matthew Broadbent).

These are set against the slow redemption of Scrooge (Ashley Dixon), who grumpily hides under the covers when visited by his deceased business partner, a shackled Jacob Marley (Sebastian Loe), and ghoulish troupe of tormented souls.

This makes his final transformation into a sprightly, toe-twinkling lover of humanity a treat to behold and it would take a real humbug not to leave the theatre feeling a warm glow of festive joy.

Tour details: www.northernballet.com

Susan Darlington

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