Online via Jermyn Street Theatre and Guildford Shakespeare Company
Reviewed – 19th December 2020
★★★
“The spirit of Christmas present may have taken a holiday this year, and while this show doesn’t quite lure it back, it does remind us of our Christmases past”
On the day that Christmas was effectively cancelled, it is perhaps a natural reaction to want to seek refuge in some sort of seasonal escapism. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ or ‘Bad Santa’. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is another annual favourite. Something comfortingly familiar and predictable. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” fits the bill perfectly. Written during a time when the British were re-evaluating themselves, its themes of transformation and redemption inspired, if not created, the aspects of Christmas we have grown to love; including family gatherings, festive food and drink, games and a communal generosity of spirit.
In the absence of that, the Guildford Shakespeare Company with Jermyn Street Theatre, are beaming their live, staged version of the story via Zoom, which allows a degree of audience participation. The technology, born of necessity back in March, still feels a little underdeveloped, but it does let the curtain rise on productions that would otherwise remain locked away in the dark.
Naylah Ahmed’s faithful adaptation pulls no surprises. We all know the story, which is its selling point, along with the two names in the cast – Penelope Keith and Brian Blessed who play the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present respectively. Keith displays her signature imperious disdain for the unreformed Scrooge with a deadpan, but slightly apologetic, sense of humour (“I am not a sir, sir!”), while Blessed’s distinctly unapologetic performance plays up to his own caricature. They are both a formidable and colourful presence. Jim Findley, as Ebenezer Scrooge, fails to react accordingly, and doesn’t seem to be too distraught that his night is disturbed by these uninvited and foreboding spirits.
Rallying round, though, are the three multi-rolling cast members who pick up the remaining characters. Robin Morrissey’s versatility leapfrogs from his Jacob Marley to Bob Cratchitt to Mr Fezziwig with ease, accompanied by the sparkly eyed Paula James as Mrs Cratchitt, Fezziwig and others. Paula James, along with Lucy Pearson, who has her own hamper full of characters, bring a lightness of touch to what is a fairly stolid and dependable narration.
Despite the commitment of the cast, they seem unsure as to who the audience is. Director Natasha Rickman seems to be steering them, perhaps against their will, towards a younger crowd. The sense of enjoyment is prevalent but at the expense of the magic and awe that this tale should inspire. The show features children from the Guildford Shakespeare Company’s drama clubs, in rotation, as the Cratchitt children, and it is a delight to see the relish with which the three young ensemble cast dive into their roles.
The spirit of Christmas present may have taken a holiday this year, and while this show doesn’t quite lure it back, it does remind us of our Christmases past and give us hope for those yet to come. But we want to toast the future with effervescence and this ‘Christmas Carol’ doesn’t have the sparkling warmth to uplift us fully. But ‘Humbug’ to that. The run is already sold out online so don’t listen to this old Scrooge.
Reviewed by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Ciaran Walsh
A Christmas Carol
Online via Jermyn Street Theatre and Guildford Shakespeare Company until 27th December
● Neil Bartlett to direct his new adaptation of Albert Camus’ modern classic, THE PLAGUE
● RSC Associate Artist Greg Hicks to play the title role in William Shakespeare’s RICHARD III, directed by Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen
● Amy Draper to direct THESE TREES ARE MADE OF BLOOD, blending cabaret and original music to tell a vital story from Argentina’s Dirty War
● Lourdes Faberes to play TAMBURLAINE in Yellow Earth’s radical retelling of Christopher Marlowe’s classic, adapted and directed by Ng Choon Ping
● Helena Bell, Artistic Director of Kali Theatre, to direct the world premiere of READY OR NOT by Naylah Ahmed, as part of a UK tour
● Award-winning new play THE PULVERISED by Alexandra Badea to receive its UK premiere in a co-production by Arcola, Changing Face & York Theatre Royal
Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen said:
“Arcola’s new season confronts tyranny – the tyranny of people by rulers (Richard III, Tamburlaine, These Trees), states of emergency (The Plague, Ready Or Not) and work in the global economy (The Pulverised). At a time when the world order is under strain – but also when ordinary people are feeling the strain of that change – these plays offer a chance to reflect on our afflictions, and on ways we might resist the worst excesses of power. In-keeping with Arcola’s commitment to diverse theatre, the season features new productions from leading BAMER companies Yellow Earth and Kali Theatre. Half of the shows are directed by women, including two original works by female playwrights.”
Studio 1
Studio 1 is now a fully producing house.
Arcola Theatre presents three productions this season:
5 April – 6 May 2017 Arcola Theatre presents
THE PLAGUE
based on La Peste by Albert Camus
Adapted and directed by Neil Bartlett
“April 29th; lunchtime. Found Mr Michel in the street outside the apartment. Walk unsteady. Eyes unnaturally bright.”
Dr Rieux is noticing things. A rat on the stairs, where it has no right to be. A sore throat becoming a fever. The first signs of panic. It all amounts to a troubling diagnosis… so what’s the cure?
The Plague is Albert Camus’ electrifying story about living through a time of crisis and fighting back against despair.
Written in the aftermath of the Nazis’ march across Europe, it struck a powerful chord with millions struggling to understand the fascist ‘plague’ that had just overwhelmed them.
Now, seventy years later, multi-award-winning director Neil Bartlett (Or You Could Kiss Me, National Theatre; Stella, LIFT) retells Camus’ classic for our own dangerous times. His frank and gripping new stage adaptation puts chaos under the microscope, and plants the germ of hope in the power of our common humanity.
Cast:
Joseph Alessi, Burt Caesar, Billy Postlethwaite, Sara Powell, Martin Turner
Lighting Design: Jack Weir
Sound Design: Dinah Mullen
Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm
Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm
Tickets £12-£22 (previews £10-£17)
11 May – 10 June 2017 Arcola Theatre presents
RICHARD III
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Mehmet Ergen
Cast includes Greg Hicks
King Edward is on the throne, and England is at peace. But don’t worry – it won’t be that way for long.
Gripping and outrageous, Shakespeare’s Richard III is the tale of a ruthless, power-crazed misogynist who lies and cheats his way to the highest seat in the land.
Following his celebrated performances as Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Coriolanus and King Lear for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Greg Hicks takes on the role of the tyrant king Richard in this startling new production, directed by Arcola’s Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen.
“I’ll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders before I’ll see the crown so foul misplaced.”
Further casting to be announced
Design: Anthony Lamble Lighting Design: David Howe
Photo by Alex Brenner
Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm
Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm
Tickets £12-£22 (previews £10-£17)
14 June – 15 July 2017 Arcola Theatre presents
THESE TREES ARE MADE OF BLOOD
Book by Paul Jenkins
Music and Lyrics by Darren Clark
Directed by Amy Draper
Original story by Amy Draper, Paul Jenkins and Darren Clark
“And for our next act … The Magical Military Junta … Will make 30,000 people disappear before your very eyes.”
1970s Argentina. A violent, right-wing dictatorship. Thousands of citizens, seized by the authorities, have “disappeared”.
Inside the country’s most disreputable club, a mother is about to risk everything to find her missing daughter.
Spectacular, arresting and totally unique, These Trees are Made of Blood blends cabaret and original live music to tell a vital, human story from Argentina’s Dirty War.
Step into Buenos Aires for this immersive theatrical experience, which pulls back the curtain on a secretive state, and shines the spotlight on a powerful act of resistance. Following a sold-out premiere in 2015, the cabaret coup reignites at Arcola for four weeks only.
Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm
Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm
Tickets £12-£22 (previews £10-£17)
Originally produced by Jim Croxford for Theatre Bench at Southwark Playhouse
Studio 2
15 March – 8 April 2017 Yellow Earth presents
TAMBURLAINE
by Christopher Marlowe Adapted and directed by Ng Choon Ping
A lowly shepherd rises to power – and conquers half the known world.
Tamburlaine is a breathtaking interrogation of power, masculinity and the limits of violence.
In his new adaptation for Yellow Earth theatre company, Ng Choon Ping directs a startling production with a British East Asian cast and live taiko drumming. Lourdes Faberes makes her Arcola debut as Tamburlaine.
As ‘strongman’ leaders exert their influence, and new power from the East asserts its growing dominance, Christopher Marlowe’s classic tale takes on a new urgency and relevance for our time.
“I mean to be a terror to the world”
Cast:
Melody Brown, Lourdes Faberes, Fiona Hampton, Susan Hingley, Amanda Maud, Leo Wan
Live taiko drumming by Joji Hirota
Design: Moi Tran Video Design: Gillian Tan Lighting Design: Neill Brinkworth Movement: Rose Ryan Dramaturgy: Stewart Melton Creative Producer: Kumiko Mendl
Photo by Suki Mok
Monday-Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3.30pm
Tickets £17 / £14 concessions (previews £12)
Tamburlaine is supported by the Cockayne Foundation and the Foyle Foundation.
11 – 29 April 2017 Kali Theatre presents
READY OR NOT
by Naylah Ahmed Directed by Helena Bell
Why would an ordinary retired teacher take a young Muslim man hostage in her living room?
In this timely political thriller from Naylah Ahmed (winner of the Royal National Theatre Playwrights Award), an innocent encounter soon develops into a dangerous game of hide and seek with the truth.
In a world of 24-hour news, is there any escape from fear? And how can we detect the real enemy at our gates?
Kali Theatre has been presenting groundbreaking new theatre by South Asian women for over 20 years. New Artistic Director Helena Bell directs this sharp, thought-provoking world premiere, arriving in London as part of a UK tour.
Cast:
Joan Blackham, Naeem Hayat, Natasha Rickman
Design: Rajha Shakiry Lighting Design: Katharine Williams Video Design: Daniel Denton Sound Design: Chris Drohan
Monday-Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3.30pm
Tickets £17 / £14 concessions (previews £12)
2 – 27 May 2017 Arcola Theatre, Changing Face and York Theatre Royal present
THE PULVERISED
by Alexandra Badea, translated by Lucy Phelps Directed by Andy Sava
“Stop the rat race. Stop time. Stop the money. Stop the anxiety. Stop everything that has made human beings so bitter.”
A quality assurance officer from France, a call centre manager from Senegal, a factory worker from China, and an engineer from Romania. Each leads a life apart, but all work round-the-clock for the same multinational corporation.
When work has no borders, what’s the cost? Alexandra Badea’s captivating drama is a powerful and disturbing portrait of globalisation and its far-reaching effects on our lives.
Following an explosive premiere at the National Theatre of Strasbourg, where it won the prestigious Grand Prix de la Littérature, The Pulverised arrives in the UK with a new English translation.
Cast:
Rebecca Boey, Richard Corgan, Solomon Israel, Kate Miles
Set and Costume Design: Nicolai Hart-Hansen Sound and Video Design: Ashley Ogden Lighting Design: Tom Smith Movement Director: Lanre Malaolu
Monday-Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3.30pm
Tickets £17 / £14 concessions (previews £12)
All productions are bookable directly with the Arcola Theatre:
