CHRISTMAS is a time for ghost stories– Reading Repertory Theatre has pulled an impressive trick with its very own.
Having revived its production of A Christmas Carol, Reading Rep is emulating Scrooge himself in both revisiting its past and exploring its future.
While it has an almost entirely new cast – only Rick Romero reprising his role – the story is, of course, the same.
It follows the classic tale of the fusty old skinflint Ben Scrooge, but this incarnation has climbed to the lofty ranks of management in Huntley & Palmer’s biscuit factory.
With the backdrop of late-1800s Reading, the rest of the play follows the original narrative as his miserly ways cause trepidation and fear in his workers and acquaintances.
Jeremy Drakes’ Scrooge is utterly believable in his callousness, seemingly taking notes from comedian Simon Evans for his booming, resonant voice and occasionally snarled, though still cut-glass, delivery.
He is well matched by the chipper disposition of Charlotte Warner’s Bobbi Cratchet, which is reminiscent of Doctor Who’s Victorian governess iteration of Clara Oswald.
Her bright outlook gels well with the rest of the cast, especially its youngest members, and is well-hidden in the presence of Scrooge.
Warner’s performance as the ghost of Christmas past is a somber, weighty one, with eerie and ethereal other-worldliness.
Rick Romero was similarly dexterous, portraying Hopkins with emotional resonance in his fear of his boss.
He also brings a classically Dickensian chain-rattling to the portrayal of the ghost of George Palmer, who takes the place of Marley in the production.
The other half of the cast is comprised of younger members, including Elijah Ferrier who portrays a younger Scrooge, and Nathalie Codsi as his beaux, Belle.
Both bring a dynamic energy to their roles, especially in their scenes together as they fall in love in the opening half of the performance.
Each gives appropriate narrative weight to the emotional beats while maintaining the festive buoyancy which runs through the production.
Finally, the cast is rounded out by its youngest members, Alina Kharina, Frankie Maddicks, and Savannah-Rose Mattingley from Reading Rep’s Youth Theatre program.
The three youngsters rotate in playing the part of Tiny Tim/Timmie.
Alina Kharina’s portrayal of the character was incredibly charming and particularly assured for such a young actor.
While most of the actor’s scenes see Tiny Timmie being the classically cute Dickensian urchin, the character also doubles as the ghost of Christmas future.
Kharina’s performance as the ghost was particularly accomplished in their other-worldly apparition’s portrayal, making for an excellent, vibrant addition to the cast.
The staging of the production is also to be commended, with the sparse but choice elements made to a noticeably high standard.
The movement of the set’s elements to communicate the change of place or time is considered, portraying the movement dynamically and quickly between scenes.
The peeling back of certain elements to reveal the chains of the ‘other’ world is particularly effective and well-complimented by Rick Romero’s emergence from it.
Lighting and sound design are also well-considered, as is to be expected from Reading Rep.
It is clear why the production has returned for this season’s Christmas show: the tale is an old favourite and Beth Flintoff’s adaptation is filled with heart-warming, festive cheer.
It sews together the best of Dickens’ original narrative while stirring in a hearty helping of local humour, owing to its new setting.
There are even a few nod-and-a-wink jokes for mum and dad to sail over the heads of the younger audience members, who will otherwise be well served by the engaging humour threaded through the show.
A Christmas Carol runs at Reading Repertory Theatre from Wednesday, November 30, until Saturday, December 31, except for Sundays and Christmas Day.
Tickets are £19.50, but Reading Rep provides discounts for students and children, as well as senior or disabled attendees.
It is also providing discounts for those under 30 in its first week of performances, and for families with relevant discount codes.
Ten percent of all tickets will be free for those who can’t afford them, as part of the theatre’s commitment to access to the arts.
Tickets and booking information can be found via: www.readingrep.com
