Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens
Directed by Marilyn Jones
The Medstead Players brought the true message of Christmas to life on Saturday with a heartfelt performance of that thought provoking tale, A Christmas Carol.
A brave and challenging production, it was perhaps a fitting choice for the players, orphaned as they are from their own home village, and having to rely on the benevolence of neighbouring Four Marks Village Hall where they do nonetheless have to use portable lighting and sound effects, and the minimum of stage backdrop and props.
But they rose to the occasion, using costume, make up and voice distortion to maximum effect, particularly for the ghost scenes.
Adapted from the classic novel by Charles Dickens, the story took the audience on a journey into Victorian England - into a timeless world of family, love, hate, charity and redemption.
It began on Christmas Eve, seven years after the death of Ebenezer Scrooge's business partner, Jacob Marley.
Scrooge is a greedy, mean-hearted businessman, who has no time for kindness, compassion, charity or benevolence. After being warned by Marley's Ghost to change his ways, Scrooge was visited in turn by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come, in the hope of achieving a transformation.
From curtain up on Saturday, and led by storyteller, Carol Bedingfield the audience was transported swiftly back in time with the poignant scene of carol singers, standing beneath a street lamp in foggy London, and Scrooge isolated in his own self-centred world, refusing to donate but a penny to charity.
Paul Cox is to be commended for taking on the difficult task of bringing a sadness and poignancy to the role of the beleaguered Scrooge - a man blighted by his own past who used the making of money as a security blanket and was unable, on his own, to break the chains.
Imprisoned by his past, clanking and hollow, Marley's Ghost (Dan Cox) did an excellent job of scaring Scrooge into reflecting on his own attitude to life, making him susceptible to the Ghost of Christmas Past (Eleanor Noble) - a hauntingly translucent child who invited Scrooge to step back in time to look at his own troubled childhood, his apprenticeship with the caring Fezziwig (Dan Cox again) and his downward spiral into self-centred destruction, reinforced when he felt unable to accept the price of sharing his life with a wife - Belle, a pivotal role for young Emily Prior.
The Ghost of Christmas Present - manfully undertaken by a 'croaking' Sue Ovell, resplendent in holly, took the beleaguered Scrooge to the house of his own poorly paid clerk, Bob Cratchit - played with subservient compassion by Dominic Clifford - his wife (Gwen Clifford) and his children - among them the ailing cripple, Tiny Tim - a key role to showcase the emerging talent of young Ben Anderson.
Scrooge was taken then to the home of his nephew (Dan Ryan) who, having been unable to convince his uncle to accept the love and hospitality of his own family, remained constant in his determination to do just that.
In his self-enforced absence, and despite their constant fight to stave off cold and hunger, even the Cratchit family toasted Scrooge's happiness on Christmas Eve.
The silent black hooded spectre of Christmas Future (Sue Millett) invited Scrooge to face up to the consequences of these selfish and careless actions.
Shocked by the possible death of Tiny Tim through his clerk's inability to pay for the boy's needs, Scrooge was prompted to confront his own part in this sad tale and then to face his own mortality.
He came to fear following in the footsteps of his old partner, Jacob Marley, condemned to an afterlife of constant, tortured travel.
With that realisation a weight dropped from his mind and he awoke for the first time to a feeling of happiness, brought on by a new determination to put things right in his life and to share his good fortune with others.
It was a timely reminder at Christmas for self examination - a brave production for the Medstead Players, with pressure to deliver well rehearsed and accurate lines, using Dickensian English, an ability to bring the characters and the feel of the era to life, to sing heartily more often than not without accompaniment, and to deliver a story, passed down through generations, with understanding and sensitivity.
It was a triumph for a cast comprising seasoned hands, ably supported by a talented crew of younger members and children, many of whom took on more than one role; to a strong and imaginative production team; to a hard working front of house team; to producer Jenny Overy, supported by Anita Prior, and especially to director, Marilyn Jones who paid tribute to what was "a real family affair" with a cast who worked incredibly hard to stage a Christmas show under challenging conditions.
In true 'Christmas Carol' spirit, and despite the sad plight at being forced out of their own home just before Christmas last year when fire all but destroyed Medstead Village Hall, Medstead Players are donating all the money raised through the raffle and sales at the bar during this production - thought to be in the region of £150 - to the BBC Children in Need appeal.
[Moira Howells]
What a fascinating adaptation of this great story of greed, avarice, and plain nastiness being manipulated into a happy ending where the former sins were swept away and replaced with love and pure goodness. Yes this did happen due to the talent permeating the Players, from the director and producer with their excellent production, to the cast who really lived their parts, to the stage crew who made sure that all was as it was meant to be. Even the empty stage which appeared frequently, had an atmosphere causing one almost to see the scene which was not there, possibly because there was usually one piece of furniture carefully positioned.
Scrooge (Paul Cox) was not as horrid as I have seen in other productions - fair enough. He delivered his lines very coherently, and one could almost have some pity for the old reprobate, and definitely felt glad that he had seen the error of his ways and was now a happy man. Bob Cratchit (Dominic Clifford) and his family were delightful, really making the audience see how happiness and goodness can outweigh the burden of ill health (Tiny Tim - Ben Anderson), and shortage of money. The three ghosts, were suitably scary but very meaningful - Eleanor Noble - Past (dominant ?), Sue Ovell - Present (pitiful ?) and Sue Millett - Future (encouraging ?).
The way the hall space was used was wonderful, the carol singing in the corridor, the doors left open so we could hear them in the distance, then the way they came in and formed a choir in one corner in front of the stage. The use of the gangway so that often players arrived through the audience. The arrangement of steps leading up to the stage. The gorgeous ghostly sound of the wind outside. The superb lighting and sound which really could not be faulted. Production team you were fantastic, and the front of house were there usual welcoming selves.
I would love to print everyone's name, but this is not possible. All I can say is that everyone involved needs praise. Well done Medstead Players once again, and hope to see you 'back home' soon.
[Jean Gebbett]
What a great way to kick off the festive season and what a treat Medstead Players had in store for us with 'A Christmas Carol'. Congratulations to you all for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
There was nothing festive about Scrooge himself at all and the clever and minimalist stage set emphasised both Scrooge and his meanness and also the poverty of the time. Costume was superb considering so much had been lost in the fire last year and although I understand a lot was begged and borrowed, everything fitted in so well. The fiddler at the start heralded what was to be a highly entertaining and polished performance from all. The choir led us along with Christmas carols suitable to the era and the Narrator, Carol Bedingfield, kept the story flowing along at a great pace. Good use was made of the rear door entrance and adaptations to the stage enhanced the performance to perfection.
Paul Cox led the cast in his usual highly talented manner, through all the emotions of greed, avarice, downright meanness, into shock, disillusionment, loneliness and finally to charity and benevolence. Dominic Clifford also gave a creditable performance in showing the very opposite of Scrooge, as Bob Cratchit was a kindly, devoted man, forever hopeful of a good Christmas with his loving family. Dan Ryan again gave a solid supporting role as the Nephew, cheerful and non-judgemental of his nasty Uncle Scrooge. Talent clearly runs in the Cox family as Dan Cox played the creepy Marley in white and gold chains berating his former partner, to dear old Fezziwig and also a thirds part as a husband. Well done Dan. Emily Cox too joined in the family trio playing gentlemen. Hopefully a more feminine role might be in store for her in the future. Gwen Clifford was a believable Mrs Cratchit and all supporting cast worked well to give a very enjoyable performance throughout. It was wonderful to see so many youngsters in the show to bring on talent for the future.
Best of all for me were the ghosts. I really enjoy being spooked, Eleanor Noble was ethereal as the Ghost of Christmas past and Sue Ovell did a magnificent job through what was clearly a very nasty cold. Best and creepiest of all, was the ghost of Christmas yet to come - a very clever performance from Sue Millett. The costume was stunning and the movement perfect to send chills down the spine. The use of echo sound and UV lighting added to the spookiness, as did the little ghosts and spectres swirling around along with odd strange characters popping up here and there adding to the feeling of poverty and want in material matters. The real sense of Christmas and contentment was drawn exceedingly well, as only Mr Dickens can - he would have been proud to see this adaptation.
Once again well done Medstead Players - a great herald to Advent and the Christmas season.
[Nita Simpson]
Cast:
Storyteller - Carol Bedingfield
Ebenezer Scrooge - Paul Cox
Bob Cratchit - Dominic Clifford
Nephew - Dan Ryan
Marley's Ghost - Dan Cox
The Ghost of Christmas Past - Eleanor Noble
The Ghost of Christmas Present - Sue Ovell
The Ghost of Christmas Future - Sue Millett
Mrs. Cratchit - Gwen Clifford
Fezziwig - Dan Cox
Fan - Bethany Magennis-Prior
Martha - Cally Pattinson
Tiny Tim - Ben Anderson
Belle - Emily Prior
Young Ebenezer - Jorin Zankl
Old Joe - Sue Ovell
Charwoman - Jude Runnalls
Caroline - Eleanor Noble
Peter - Imogen Clifford
Gent One - Jan Bennett
Gent Two - Emily Cox
Husband - Dan Cox
Daughter - Bethany Magennis-Prior
Boys various - Ben Anderson
Niece - Emily Magennis-Prior
Fat man - Jan Bennett
Thin man - Emily Cox
Man - Jorin Zankl
Choir - Gwen Clifford, Dominic Clifford, Sue Millett, Jan Bennett, Jude Runnalls, Sue Ovell, Cally Pattinson, Emily Cox, Emily Magennis-Prior, Eleanor Noble, Ben Anderson, Ruth Morales, Joanna Clifford and Imogen Clifford
Fiddler - Mac Newton