Northern Ballet - A Christmas Carol
The definitive way to kick-start your own Christmas celebrations.
Norwich Theatre
Since it was first published in 1843 Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' has been lauded and loved for both its seasonal message and for its social commentary on poverty and injustice. It has since been made into a cinema film starring Alistair Sim, a stage musical starring Anthony Newley, and, in 1992, even transformed into 'A Muppet Christmas Carol' starring Michael Caine as Scrooge. It has become as much a part of Christmas as those Victorian figures on the giant tins of Quality Street.
Northern Ballet premiered their original production of 'A Christmas Carol' in Bath in 1992. Directed by Christopher Gable and choreographed by Massimo Moricone, it now stands as an iconic work, and has now become almost as much a part of Christmas as Dickens' novel itself.
For its 2024 revival, Northern Ballet's dancers have been given new costumes and a cunningly versatile set that is enhanced with spectacular tour lighting by Alistair West. Spanish dancer Albert González Orts takes on the role of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, wringing out every last ounce of meanness from the part. It persists right up until the epiphanous visit of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, after which Scrooge throws his lavish party, and at which he finally gets to dance the pas de deux wih his former fiancée Belle.
There is no live orchestra on this tour, but Carl Davis' recorded score, augmented with many of our favourite carols, is of high quality, and our eyes are focused firmly on the extensive and highly talented cast of dancers – I counted thirty-three on stage at one point. It is these large-scale dance numbers that repeatedly take one's wintry breath away – especially with the folk and country influences that infuse the Fezziwig Ball at the beginning of Act 2. The dancers are all superb, with Harry Skoups and Gemma Coutts, as Mr and Mrs Fezziwig, even allowing for a few well choreographed comic delights.
The three ghosts provide dramatic contrast – from the spring-like Ghost of Christmas Past (Mayuko Iwanga), through the exotic and dandyish Ghost of Christmas Present (Stefano Varalta), and to the skeletal form of Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come (Joseph Taylor). Many of the children appearing are from Norwich School of Dance, and the biggest heart-melt of the night comes when young Daniel Ibbitt performs his plaintive solo as Tiny Tim.
Northern Ballet's 'A Christmas Carol' is at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday November 23rd, with matinée performances on both Wednesday and Saturday. This is surely the definitive way to kick-start your own Christmas celebrations. A show for all the family, but a small caveat. The ghosts (especially the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come and his entourage) may be slightly disturbing to some younger children, as might the two brief funeral scenes.
Otherwise go enjoy. And Merry Christmas!
