REVIEW: A Christmas Carol at Newcastle Northern Stage

A Christmas Carol

Newcastle Northern Stage

Until Saturday 4 January 2025

Writer: Karen Louise Hebden

Director: Natalie Ibu

The popular Dicken's classic has been reimagined on the epic space created by connected stages one and two. Director Natalie Ibu makes her mark on a production that is different when compared to any other local production including the last time it appeared here in 2018. A combination of classic Christmas songs and music with an African vibe create an interesting interpretation that will be popular with families and school parties (as it is a tale studied at GCSE).

Actor and aerialist Malik Ibheis brings to life
the ghosts of past present and future

Jacob Marley is dead. His business partner Ebeneezer Scrooge (Michael Hodgson) does not shed a tear, rather he carries on with the business of accumulating wealth without spending it if he can help it. It approaches Christmas but he chooses not to acknowledge it as it is humbug. It is cold but he does not waste money on too much heat and his clerk Bob Cratchett (Gabriel Akamo) struggles to work in the cold office, opposite the door so his paperwork flies each time the door opens. Scrooge's niece Frederica (Holly May Austin) invites him to dinner but he refuses, as he does every year. After a day at work he heads home to be visited by the ghost of Marley (Malik Ibheis) who informs him that the ghosts of past, present and future will pay him a visit...

Holly May Austin as Frederica  

Dickens was a fabulous writer. The tales he told still have poignancy with the modern world in which we live today, and each modern interpretation, like this one from writer Karen Louise Hebden, highlights the powerful messages that underpin his storytelling. This is a fresh look at a story I have seen on stage and film many times. It takes some bold (possibly brave) calls in keeping it a period piece and yet imbibing modern values. 

Michael Hodgson (right) as the infamous Scrooge
alongside Gabriel Akamo as Bob Cratchit (left) 

The music features well worked vocal performances, especially in the opening scenes. Alas the use of on stage musicians has given way to pre-recorded sounds. Talking of the opening scenes - the performance is in traverse with an audience on either side. The choir performs to one side and then runs around to the other. We were on "side 1" and it would be interesting to compare our experience with that with folk on "side 2". There were times when the cast were in a circle facing each other and having their backs to almost  the whole audience. I appreciate the extra seats help put more cash in the bank but one wonders if they should return to the more tradition format with everyone facing a single stage. My companion commented that the snow only came down on one side.

Mr and Mrs Cratchit, Tim and Belinda, played by Gabriel Akamo, Alicia McKenzie,
Taku Mutero and Gigi Noel-King

Malik Ibheis appears, in addition to Marley, as the three ghosts. He guides Scrooge as he witnesses his younger self (Benjamin Storey) in childhood before seeing Cratchett and his wife and of course poorly son Tim (Taku Mutero) having their Christmas dinner. It is in the second act I felt the action became much sharper. Ibheis's ghost of Christmas future crawls onto the stage and contorts himself in a fashion sometimes seen in Korean/Japanese horror movies. The result are scenes which are more disturbing than just running on with a puppet, as some some productions may do.

The second act, in my opinion, not only sees redemption for Scrooge but also for the show. It was well executed and pulled the Dickensian themes together into a satisfying finish.

The full cast of Northern Stage’s reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic
story of ghosts, greed, and goodwill

I have seem "lighter" productions of the tale which are more tongue-in-cheek. By taking the decisions they have this may be heavier going for the younger audience members, as we witnessed around us on the Friday night show that we attended. Having said that the ending has more gravitas here, thanks to the route taken.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Ellie Kurttz

Tickets: 

Tickets available from the website: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/a-christmas-carol/