Review: A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage, Newcastle

When stage one and two are combined to create an ‘epic space’ (with audiences on either side of the stage), you know something special is about to happen. It never ceases to amaze us how the cast perform to two audiences at once.

A joyous group of Christmas carollers begin this story in song, then play various roles throughout to tell the Scrooge’s story. All is calm, and indeed bright, until ‘snow’ falls from the sky (ceiling) and Scrooge (Middlesbrough’s Michael Hodgson) appears, dousing any merriment with his misery.

While he captivates the audience, the rest of the cast move on and off stage changing outfits and characters as they go. Gabriel Akamo plays a heart-warming Bob Cratchit and his singing with Taku Mutero as Tim is a delight.

The set is beautiful, albeit simplistic for effect, and we particularly enjoy the lighting of the street lamps. Faces appear in the door when Scrooge arrives at home prompting muttering and pointing amongst the audience, but not one of us expects Marley (Malik Ibheis) to crawl out of the arm chair Scrooge is sitting on…

Malik plays all four ghosts in this play brilliantly with a dramatic voice over for each – hanging from the ceiling at one point, walking around the stage in stilts at another, and saving his nail-biting showcase of contortion ’til last. While Charles Dickens’ story of ghosts, greed and goodwill is respected, these elements are a refreshing addition to this show. From cheerful Christmassy moments to more somber scenes, the cast members never falter and just a sprinkling of humour pulls the whole performance together.