Review: A Christmas Carol, at the Old Vic, London

One of my favourite treats The Old Vic gave us last year, was their In Camera version of A Christmas Carol. Fast-forward a year later, and in a week when performances are being cancelled left right and centre thanks to Rona, I had the luck and pleasure of seeing it live.

This particular production has been playing (in some form) at The Old Vic every year since 2017 - and has since transferred to New York and as of this year, Los Angles. 

Since we last talked about it, A Christmas Carol has won 5 Tonys, including Lighting, Costume, Set and Sound of a Play. And also, (incredibly for a play), Best Score! Out of all those musicals, it was a play that won it. 

And it is little wonder. I mentioned this in my piece last year, but the music is truly gorgeous. The arrangements of these well-known, and less-well-known Carols, some of which were purely with bells, are a treat unique treat to listen to. Add in tin whistle, violin, cello and accordion when needed to flesh the sound out, giving the feel of an old-fashioned Christmas knees-up. Add in vocals, such as in O Holy Night, and you get chills. 

I think this brings me to the main point I wanted to make; seeing it In Camera last year was one thing. Seeing it live was another experience altogether; one that I missed out on last year. 

The atmosphere is festive as the second you walk into The Old Vic. The smell of mulled wine (or Christmas Pudding gin and ginger ale) from the many bars hit you on your way in - both drinks are delicious by the way. Then when you get into the auditorium, you are given a mince pie on the house! 

You take your seats and gasp at the warm white lanterns that make so much more of an impact than on camera, to the sound of the musicians. I should mention at this moment that my Dad and I had our seats upgraded. From the gallery to the back of the stalls! The view was frankly incredible! The silver lining to I imagine a lot of people cancelling their tickets.... 

This year, the well-trodden role of Ebenezer Scrooge was taken over by Stephen Mangan, who I knew best from Green Wing. He is almost unrecognisable as Scrooge, to the point when you even forget that it IS him sometimes. And yet takes on a take that I feel is uniquely his, even compared to Andrew Lincoln, who took on the role in this very production last year. 

His transformation from misery to the transformed jubilant man at the end is possibly the biggest change I have seen. The scene of him persuading his nephew Fred (played by The Last Five Years' Oli Higginson) to gather a feast to bring to the Cratchits so something that you also miss out on by not seeing it in person. 

It is a moment that exudes the community of theatre. And a lot of community spirit that has been happening throughout this pandemic. And the reward - not just one, but two snow flurries, showering the audience in a light foam. You cannot get more festive than that. It was honestly one the of the best atmospheres I have experienced in a theatre. 

The cast for this is extremely talented. I have already pointed out Mangan driving the bus as Scrooge, but this whole company of everyone sharing every other part. But I do want to highlight one other person in particular and that is Rachel John, who played the Ghost of Christmas Present. 

While you may think of Christmas Present as this very jovial larger than life figure (The Muppet Christmas Carol's version being the example that comes to mind). But John's was different. Hers was a much more blunt interpretation of the character, as well as pessimistic - in the way that this will be the present if you continue this path, let alone the future. She had the scariest presence of all the spirits, even more so than the Ghost of Christmas Future. 

If you want a festive experience, this is definitely one to go to. No wonder this has been put on at The Old Vic again and again... and again. 

And they likely will again. 

It is the perfect Christmas show, with a big emphasis on atmosphere and community. A lot of Christmas shows are quite cheesy and fluffy, and if you want that, then I recommend White Christmas in Edinburgh, or of course there is your local panto. 

But if you're looking for something with the spirit of Christmas but more grounded, mysterious, and a little bit darker; then I cannot recommend this enough. Definitely one not to say BAH HUMBUG to.