Review: A Christmas Carol: The Musical (The Lowry)

Review by Jack McCabe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Christmas, the home for the Hope Mill Theatre’s festive production is The Quays Theatre in the Lowry. A much bigger space than they are used to but one that is well utilised in their production of A Christmas Carol – The Musical – the classic story of the miserable, anti-Christmas business owner whose outlook is changed after being haunted by three spirts on Christmas Eve.

You may think you know what to expect with A Christmas Crol but this production has a twist. The protagonist is Evelina Scrooge, a rich business owner whose past experiences of a father jailed for debt leaving his wife and children penniless on the streets has led her to cover her pain with business and save every penny. Oh, and of course, to hate Christmas. The backstory is a good one but was fleeted over very quickly. I would have liked to have spent a bit more time getting to know Evelina.

Andrew Exeter designed the set well assisted with precise lighting from Alex Musgrave and eye-catching costumes by Lorraine Parry which contrasted against the monotone colour of the set. There was, perhaps, overuse of video to move the story along when this could have been achieved by the cast who were a very strong company.

Claire Moore takes on the role of a very different Scrooge in brilliant fashion, faultlessly  portraying a monumental journey of change over the ninety-minute production. Showing a vast range in her performance, she managed to be cruel, vulnerable and funny throughout.

Scrooge’s old business partner Jacob Marley and the first spirit to visit Scrooge was played by Barry Keenan in a performance and costume that suggested it was heavily influence by Beetlejuice . He provided great characterisation to this part even if it was, at certain points, a bit over the top.

The three spirits were played by Mari McGinlay, James Hume and Josie Benson. Mari’s performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past in particular was impressive. She was funny and commanding. James Hume took on a comedic role as the Ghost of Christmas Present in the style of a Pantomime Dame. Did I manage to feel like I was at a pantomime despite this being a Dickens story? Oh yes I did.

It is always difficult for a musical whose songs are unfamiliar to make a mark on the musical scene. The music from Alan Menken and lyrics from Lynn Ahrens were, on the whole, well put together. Particular highlights for me were ‘Jolly Good Time’ and ‘The Lights of Long Ago’. At some stages, the songs did feel repetitive and space-filling rather than being there to move the story along. ‘Christmas Together’, however, was a brilliant piece of work, an emotional song about the true meaning of Christmas.

The star of the show, however, was in the choreography. George Lyons choreographed this production to perfection ensuring the stage was constantly full, making sure the action never stopped. The dances were brilliantly designed to the songs and played an integral role in the story.

I had never seen A Christmas Carol on stage prior to this performance and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope Mill Theatre are a brilliant group who consistently put on quality performances. They took to the bigger space like Scrooge took to the Christmas Spirit. I left the theatre feeling Christmassy and you cannot say better than that. With a few refinements, this has the potential to be a classic Christmas Production that no-one will say Bah Humbug to.

A Christmas Carol plays at The Lowry until 5th January. Tickets from https://thelowry.com/whats-on/118//a-christmas-carol-the-musical