It takes a creative mind indeed to bring something novel to
Dickens’ classic Christmas tale. Luckily
for production company Metal Rabbit, they have director Gus Miller at the helm.
Miller has directed a clever and inventive retelling of A Christmas Carol, where its minimalist
design highlights some brilliant touches and effects. Props and set take the form of everyday
objects, all lit by Matt Leventhall’s lighting design. Polystyrene snow drops gracefully from the
hands of the cast and lit by torchlight, for instance, whilst Christmas
wrapping is ripped apart to depict rapidly devoured food, a plastic bag is used
as a puppet, and tinsel represents the exchanging of money. The set itself, though, is shabby and dishevelled,
consisting of seemingly random objects strewn across the floor – probably meant
to reflect the poverty surrounding protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge, but adding
little to the design. With many of the
scenes taking place in the dark, this hardly matters. The costumes, meanwhile, are an odd mix of
Victorian top hats and modern outerwear that are at once timeless yet confused.
That said, this is a more abstract take on the story and the
production as a whole has a charming and poetic sensibility. Mostly this comes from the imaginative and energetic
ensemble, all playing multiple roles. As
Scrooge percussively clinks a chain to suggest his money counting, the ensemble
cower next to him delivering their lines with a staccato rhythm; later they sing
Christmas carols with both joyful and haunting effect, twisting their meaning. This is a group of multi-talented performers
who exude warmth but equally can frighten and disturb. After all, this is as much a story about the
supernatural as it is a cheery fable.
At the centre is Alexander McMorran as Scrooge. Far from a grotesque pantomime villain, this
is an understated and believable performance of a man gradually coming to terms
with his wrongdoings. By the end he is
suitably endearing, and his change in character surprisingly moving. Stood in his long-johns he seems fragile and
literally stripped back – just like this production.
Metal Rabbit have created a Christmas show that manages to
offer something a little different, whilst maintaining the feelgood charm and
cheer that we all know from this story.
If you’re looking for something atypical this Christmas, this comes
recommended.
4/5
Watch: A Christmas Carol runs at the Old Red Lion Theatre until the 3rd January.
Pictures courtesy of Anna Söderblom
