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Theatre Review: Ebenezer Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge, the central character of A Christmas Carol, has been given a cast-of-hundreds incarnation, adapted specifically for the Hills Youth Theatre.

 

HYC-EbenezerScroogePresented by Hills Youth Theatre
Reviewed 20 June 2014

Opening night: welcoming costumed girls selling programmes, log fires, hot drinks and merriment; and the show hadn’t even started yet.

Having recently given up trying to communicate with anyone under 18 (for lack of response), we left the foyer to be met at the theatre entrance by two confident, polite and smiling young cast members-as-ushers who looked us in the eyes, took great care to show us our seats, introduced themselves by their first names, and hoped we enjoyed the show.

If this is what community theatre can do for our young people, please let there be more of it.

Ebenezer Scrooge, the famous central character of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol, has been given a cast-of-hundreds incarnation by writer Josh Sanders (attending). Adapted specifically for the Hills Youth Theatre, Sanders provides a splendid framework on which the many members of the group can be included in this ambitious production. Directed by Judy Sampson, the cast did a great job of keeping to accents, remaining in character and achieving their complicated (due to sheer numbers) cues.

Ikee Blackman was an amiable narrator, opening and closing the story. Carson Nutt as Marley’s Ghost (with excellent chains), Jean Collins as Bob Cratchit, and Madeline Vidugiris and Matilda Hilton as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig all stood out for their well-delivered characters.

A nod to Ignorance (Lucy Thiele) and Want (Manar Zoubaa) for their non-speaking roles; their scariness aptly matching Zoe Hilton’s Christmas Future.

Matilda Butler was a wonderful Scrooge. Playing a convincing doddery old meany was a huge undertaking that was well handled. From her “old-man” voice to her arthritic fingers and stance, she made Scrooge effectively unlikeable and, after the transition, the hero of the tale.

Fabulous all-cast number Lost in the Darkness featured the cutest phantoms you’ll ever see, and At the End of the Day opened dramatically after interval with some fine choreography from Rebecca Plummer (attending). The delightfully spooky churchyard scene, Sympathy Tenderness (albeit with a slightly abrupt ending), revealed yet another impressive costume change for the cast.

Peter Moore as Tiny Tim melted even the coldest hearts; his final line delivered flawlessly.

Overall, a couple of timing challenges didn’t dull the Christmas cheer and, whilst some of the lines were spoken too quickly or weren’t projected to audible levels, like all good teams, the more confident cast members helped keep the action moving.

Excellent animation and graphics by Jon McKay added immensely to the well-considered extensive properties. Costuming was outstanding from the bonnets, furs, hoop-skirts, frocks, velvet and sparkly wigs to the capes and top hats; some really impressive attention to detail.

At show’s end, the cast lined the passage to the exit and thanked everyone for coming; an impressive small gesture that indicated this team appreciates their patrons.

For a bit of ye olde winter fun, Ebenezer Scrooge is absolutely delightful.

(The show contains strobe lighting and is PG for supernatural themes. Pack a torch if street parking!)

Reviewed by Gordon Forester
Twitter: @GordonForester

Venue: Stirling Community Theatre, 7 Avenue Road, Stirling
Season: 20 – 29 June 2014
Duration: 2 hours
Tickets: Adults $15, Child/Concession $12, Family $48 (2 adults, 2 children) $1.50 booking fee per ticket
Bookings: Matilda Bookshop, 8 Mt Barker Road, Stirling, phone 8339 3931, or at the door.

 

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