Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Reading Rep
Photo credit: Harry Elletson
The revival of Beth Flintoff’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, first staged at Reading Rep in 2022, provides a good dose of Christmas cheer to the Reading residents. This reimagining of Charles Dickens’ tale, which has become a staple of many venues at this time of year, is simply a joyous celebration of Reading’s past and of the time of year. Flintoff resets the well-known story in and around the factory of Huntley and Palmer which dominated the town centre and workforce for around 150 years until it closed in the mid 1970s. It is a delightful conceit breathing fresh life into the story and connecting with the Rep’s local audience. The venue is just a biscuit throw from the site of the old factory and mentions of Hollybrook, Coley, Eldon Square and the Kings Road raises a smile of recognition amongst the audience, although it does seem a little harsh replacing Scrooge’s dead partner Marley with the ghost of Mr George Palmer who, in real life, was a benevolent Victorian whose lasting legacy is nearby Palmer Park.
Ebenezer Scrooge (played with enough humanity by George Eggay to believe in his redemption) is a poor lad whom, through dedication and hard work, has clambered the corporate ladder from the factory floor to partner in the firm and prioritises money and success over his personal life. He leaves behind Belle (the delightful Orla O’Sullivan) but his suppressed soul is hinted at when he hires her daughter Bobbie as his clerk. Perhaps he is not as miserly and uncaring as his ambition and drive portray.
Nicky Bunch’s excellent new set conveys a sense of Reading town centre with the town hall and factory building silhouettes covered with words from the script. Atmospheric lighting by Aaron J Dootson adds to the sense of location and shifts in time and realities.The biscuit tin lids covers frame the stage reinforcing the importance of the success of Huntley and Palmer as it expanded.
Charlotte Warner returns and doubles up again as the delightful Bobbie Cratchit and the Spirit of Christmas Past, elegantly guiding us through Scrooge’s early years. Scrooge recognises the similarities between the two characters but is defensive when accused of only hiring her because she was a woman, and he could pay her less. It provides a compelling emotional heart to the story.
Mark Desebrock is excellent as the eerie haunted Palmer, the ebullient Mr Fezziwig and extravagant comical Spirit of Christmas Present, revealing the impact of Scrooge’s attitude on those in knows, while Sam Amestoy is charming as young Scrooge before his pursuit of money corrupted him. Young Ned Woollatt makes his professional stage debut as Tiny Tim and the mute Spirit of Christmas Future and conveys the innocence of the first and ethereal spirit of the second which adds to the poignancy and pathos of the predictions.
They start and end the production with Christmas carols, encouraging the audience to join in and it reinforces the connection with the story and the joy of sharing Christmas with friends and family. Dickens’ story is timeless, but Flintoff’s adaptation adds to the joy and fun. Director Chris Cuming keeps the action brisk with charming transitions between scenes covered by cast members as eerie spirit figures who set the stage and hold aloft a snow globe of the Reading skyline.
Reading Rep claims to be Berkshire’s powerhouse producing house. The late Bill Kenwight’s Theatre Royal Windsor to the east and the amazing Watermill in Newbury to the west might argue with that claim but Berkshire is certainly fortunate to have three producing houses who set standards of production that other counties struggle to compete with. This witty and clever show sets the bar high and deserves to become a staple of the Reading Christmas celebrations.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne
A Christmas Carol plays at Reading Rep until 3 January, with further info here.