Tuesday, 17th December 2024 at Leeds Grand Theatre
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Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Christmastime redemption remains a steadfast feature of theatre programming each December. Northern Ballet take the tale and adapt it beautifully, bringing its messages and highlights to the fore with beauty, wit and a thrillingly dark edge.
Directed and devised by Christopher Gable, the production is canny in its abridging approach – mild elements are cut (though the removal of some past elements does sacrifice some of the depth of the character) and peripheral elements are brilliantly utilised to fully immerse the audience in the atmosphere and duality of Dickensian London. Most canny are some great echoes of Workhouse Oliver Twists being led by a stern Beadle set against foregrounded wholesome carol singers – swiftly silenced by a scowling Ebenezer.
Jonathan Hanks is a perfect caricature as early Scrooge, sharply elbowing his way through early scenes before gleefully bursting into expressive movement as he finds himself given his second chance at goodness. Jun Ishii and Sarah Chun also provide a stark foil to the miserable Scrooge in those early scenes; their joy perfectly offsets the misery he inflicts upon his poor clerk Bob Cratchit – played with pathos and warmth by Harris Beattie.
Other highlights include Massimo Moricone’s lively choreography of large ensemble sequences, Amber Lewis’ comically high-kicking Mrs Fezziwig, Dominique Larose’s beautiful, delicate solo as Belle, and the part-comic, part-disturbing scenes of the thieving hags – also a highlight specifically for the affinity between Carl Davis’ music and the tone of the piece.
Davis captures all the nuances of the tale and is most rewarding in moments of sentiment, such as Belle’s solo, and moments of fantastic light relief. Carols are also pleasingly interspersed, from the opening performance of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (of course) to the heart-warming reprise at curtain.
Lez Brotherston impresses once again with rich production design; the office and chambers of Scrooge are well conjured with economic moving set pieces, but it’s the costuming that really shines – particularly with the all-important ghosts: Jacob Marley (Andrew Tomlinson); Past (Saeka Shirai); Present (Harry Skoupas); and Yet to Come (also Tomlinson). All impress, but none more so than the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, crafted so brilliantly to resemble threatening Death but also a disturbingly beautiful spectacle thanks to Moricone’s choreography.
Northern Ballet give Dickens’ classic tale a fabulous outing, finding that crucial balance of thrilling darkness and heart-warming light, entertaining richly and leaving audiences with an infectious dose of Christmas spirit.
A Christmas Carol is at Leeds Grand Theatre until January 5th 2025 – more information and tickets can be found here.
Always Time For Theatre 
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