A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ dark tale of Yuletide horror and redemption, comes to larger-than-life in this spectacular stage adaptation.
Auckland Live has brought the original Australian cast of Brisbane-based Shake & Stir Theatre Co, along with the astonishing sets to Auckland’s Civic Theatre for a gob-smackingly phenomenal show. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
A Christmas Carol is the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. He hates Christmas. “Bah humbug!” He curses at everyone celebrating the season of joy, wasting their money on foolishness. He begrudges his loyal assistant, Bob Cratchett, for taking Christmas Day off. He refuses a struggling couple a week’s reprieve on a loan payment. Makes babies cry. Rudely dismisses a charity worker. Snarls at carollers. He’s a sour old, mean man. As mean and sour as can be.
When he arrives home on Christmas Eve, still grumbling, he sees the face of his 7-years dead business partner, Jacob Marley on his front door. He dismisses it and decides to catch up on some work. But Marley’s ghost arrives, laden in chains and warns him that he will be visited by three spirits, Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. Scrooge dismisses this vision as the result of a bit of bad cheese he’d eaten… But soon discovers Marley’s ghost spoke the truth.
The truth is a terrible thing to behold when you’ve been hiding from it your entire life.
Eugene Gelfedder was born to play Scrooge. A gaunt man with chiseled features, he embodies the ruthless, joyless meanie with every step and every word. And yet, he manages to bring a subtle comedic touch to his performance, a bit of humanity underlying all the awfulness. A villain you can truly love.
The rest of the cast are also wonderful, seven actors playing numerous roles in each of Scrooge’s visitations. Most notable are Lucas Stibbard and Bryan Probets as two of the spirits – such grandly over-the-top comical performances.
The final spirit, Christmas Future was not identifiable, but was absolutely terrifying.
In fact, the entire episode set in the future was rather horrific. I was glad my young companion had dozed off during these scenes. Visually stunning, the lighting and sound effects drew the audience into Scrooge’s experience of what may come to pass, and as an adult, I was awestruck. But tender-hearted children might find it upsetting.
The show is recommended for ages 10+ and this should be heeded. This climax is some of the best theatrical production you’ll see. It’s heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, astounding. But too much for littlies.
The team at Shake & Stir have collectively created a work of genius with this production of A Christmas Carol. From the daunting sets, recreating the wintry streets of 19th century London, conjured up in the mind of Josh McIntosh, to the sound (Guy Webster), video production – an absolute WOW from Craig Wilkinson, and of course, the absolutely fearless direction by Michael Futcher.
It’s simply a slam-bang show. And our gorgeous Civic Theatre is the perfect venue for it.
A Christmas Carol
Civic Theatre, Auckland
Playing 2-7 December.
Tickets are available HERE.
Veronica McLaughlin
I attended a media preview and got a few shots of the cast in the Civic Lobby.
