REVIEW | Our Christmas Carol, Old Joint Stock Theatre
Our Christmas Carol. Photo credit Shipwreck ProductionsWritten by Roni
Disclaimer: We were invited to watch this performance in return for an honest review.
Every year, Christmas brings with it a whole host of traditional shows and pantos that everyone knows and loves, from Aladdin to Jack and the Beanstalk. Whilst we may look forward to seeing our favourites, occasionally it’s nice to find a different take on a Christmas show. This year, Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock is presenting their spin on Dicken’s festive classic A Christmas Carol with their offering Our Christmas Carol. Can it spread as much holiday cheer as the original?
The story surrounding this retelling of the tale of Scrooge and his ghosts is of Sylvie and her Dad Harold, who are recently bereaved and facing their first Christmas without Mum. When she was alive, she and Harold would delight friends, family and locals with a two-person rendition of A Christmas Carol, and Sylvie is worried about how her Dad will cope without their yearly tradition. So, she decides the show must still go on, stepping into her mother’s shoes and secretly broadcasting their performance to spread some much-needed joy. With Harold as Scrooge and Sylvie as, well, everyone else, the stage is set for a spectacular, albeit different, Christmas to remember.
It’s worth noting that whilst the space at the Old Joint Stock is limited, it lends itself nicely to a two person show. Some thought has definitely gone into the staging and the concept here, and it works to give a cosy yet comfortable feel. The sections of the traditional A Christmas Carol are inventive and incredibly creative, and the performance doesn’t lack from having a bare bones cast. There is something very charming about productions with minimal sets, costuming or gimmicks that rely solely on the performance to spark something in an audience, which is done very nicely here.
Sadly, it does feel as though the show doesn’t quite hit the mark here. The added storyline of a deceased Mum and a years-old tradition of putting on a Christmas play is somewhat nice, but unfortunately ends up feeling like unnecessary fodder. Although these portions of the show are genuinely emotionally charged, the telling of Dickens actually outshines them, and leaves them feeling contrived. Likewise, the added songs that turn this into a musical production are ok, but they don’t particularly add to the story, and feel a little awkward and misplaced. Props to Patrick Greene and David Abbinanti for their efforts with the book and lyrics, but regrettably, they do fall slightly short.
That being said, the cast themselves are wonderful. Andrew Cullum is lovely as widowed Harold, giving a heartfelt performance which had even the coldest of hearts choked up. He was also an incredible Scrooge, capturing the cantankerous soul to a T. Sam Carlyle was exceptional, both as Sylvie and every other role in Our Christmas Carol. She is a natural born actor, and her scenes as Sylvie felt authentic and touching, as did her takes on Bob Cratchit and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. As before, it takes talent and skill to hold an audience solely on performance in a limited production, but the pair manage it beautifully.
In short, this is definitely a festive heart warmer. It has ambitions that should be applauded, but would potentially have been better as a standalone version of the original tale without the added extras. Its cast are a real credit to the production, and audiences will still be taken in by the poignant performance at play.
At Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham until 24 Dec 2023.
★ ★ ★
