STAGE REVIEW A Christmas Carol by The Chatsworth Players

Members of the Cast of A Christmas Carol at Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale, Derbyshire

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This week this fabulous little company – which is run straight out of Chatsworth House’s own theatre, has pushed out further and is touring their production of A Christmas Carol in Derbyshire venues.

Director, Lindsay Jackson has chosen John Mortimer’s fine adaptation to perform,which allows for a complementary perspective on the old ghost story with a moral message; a Christmastime favourite.

Members are of a wide demographic a wonderful people fusion of stage performing enthusiasts. The reviewer attended the first date of the tour as a press guest. The stage (in the banqueting hall of The Whitworth Centre) being an enchanting setting on a dark, autumn's night.

Too soon, it is fair to say, to be sent all aglow with the thought of Christmas, but the Darley Dale location and the people involved provide a special authenticity and warmth of their own; also the first mince pies of the season!

Tim Warburton, as Ebenezer Scrooge, is the only Chatsworth player in a single character role. The rest, a full, ensemble cast have a continuous stage presence throughout. 

The playscript allows characterisations to be cleverly simplified. There is no over explaining – it just works a treat! Warburton is a steadfast Scrooge. You will love him peeping over the bed clothes, and scenes where he is watchful and slightly twitchy.

The chained, Jacob Marley (Anthony Gill) and the three ghosts that visit Scrooge in turn are synonymous with that which the great book presented; as are the Fezziwigs!

Many performers are long standing with the company and they always give their very best. The plodding, disjointed moments are few and far between and tend to be more obvious when the singing is twinned with movement. The harmonies, however, are well rehearsed and are quite lovely.

Some overlapping of dialogue happens at times, yet nothing really unexpected happens, and, in this instance; this is meant as a compliment. Great job by the younger members who each have their shining moments.

The direction gives us a gentle disclosing of the familiar which is nicely cocooned. The experience for a returning reviewer, was again, atmospheric in an olde English sense.

October Dates and venues:

22 at Youlgrave Village Hall
23 at Bakewell Town Hall
24 at Tideswell Fountain Square Church
25 and 26 at Chatsworth House Theatre

Recommended!

Members of the Cast of A Christmas Carol at The Whitworth Centre, Derbyshire.

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended the first of the six performance dates of A Christmas Carol at The Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale, Derbyshire at 7.30 pm