Edward Halsted and Michelle Hodgson in A Christmas Carol at Windsor Castle. Picture: Matt Humphrey
A Christmas Carol continues at Windsor Castle until 4 January 2018.
Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of the most frequently told Christmas stories each festive season, and this one is no exception, with productions at The Old Vic, RSC and now Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle is certainly an impressive backdrop for an immersive theatrical experience. However, it does seem incongruous to Dickensian London.
As you enter the grounds you are welcomed by the actors in their various guises, and the live violin playing makes for an entertaining queuing experience.
The main event takes place in the castle’s Waterloo Chambers, with a traverse stage and balconies at both ends of the room. This lends itself to a diverse range of staging options, and yet sight lines are often obscured, as the seating is not raked.
Sasha McMurray’s direction is simple and straightforward and seems to rely heavily on the piece’s location rather than the content.
For much of the show the cast members weave their way through the space creating spirits and various characters. Using a wealth of choreography and physical theatre throughout (created by Edwin Ray) – the ensemble creates everything from the passing of time to the ethereal yet violent force of the spirits. This helps with the pace of the piece as some scenes lack energy.
The puppetry design by Jeremy Hamway Bidgood is playful and imaginative but the direction leaves little to be desired. The puppet does not have a life of its own and it is a shame that the magic that this could have created never comes to fruition. The musical scoring by Joseph Reuben is rich and atmospheric, a perfect addition to the drama.
The characterisation is pleasant with some lovely performances, particularly from the vivacious Marlon Moore as Fezziwig/Bob Cratchit and Eleanor Brown as Belle.
Edward Halsted looks uncannily perfect for the role of Scrooge and he commands the space with purpose and clarity. Yet the story has been cut in such a way that his journey seems rushed and his miserly manner diminishes almost immediately after the first ghost visits.
Overall, a simple re-telling of a Christmas classic in a stunning location.
Jennifer Hapgood
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