Why A Christmas Carol is the story of redemption we all need right now.

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year,” declares Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. 

And what a perfect line to sum up the very essence of the Jack Thorne play adaption of the timeless, classic tale and a surefire way to get you into the Christmas spirit (if you aren’t already). 

But I have a secret: to be honest, with the crowds swirling around the premiere’s red carpet, casting a sense of anticipation in the air, I was in awe of the production before I’d even entered the theatre. 

Okay, that’s not completely honest, I was in awe even before I arrived. Because a) I knew that this version of the production has one has won five Tony Awards, b) it was written by none other than Jack Thorne (the writer of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child), and c) it was conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical). Which translates to: how could I not be in awe?

Upon entering the foyer of the Melbourne Comedy Theatre though, hand in hand with my three dates – my original (my husband) and my tagalongs (my two children who because of their obsession with Christmas demanded that they too come along) – it didn’t take long for my sense of wonderment to grow even more.

Inside the Melbourne Comedy Theatre itself, among the aisles were roving entertainers in period costumes with trays of minced pies and baskets of fruit offerings for the audience. It was Christmas cheer at its finest.

They danced with nimble-footed patrons, and played cellos and violins on the stage, they brought laughter to the audience as we found our seats, igniting a festive merriment that buzzed long after the curtains closed later in the evening.

As we sat waiting for A Christmas Carol to begin, I was taken aback by the set design. 

Watch the trailer for A Christmas Carol, the magical interpretation of Charles Dickens’ beloved story. Post continues below.

In particular, the abundance of lanterns that hung across the top of the stage and over the heads of the audience immersed us in the experience from the very get-go. Both simultaneously stunning and haunting, the mise-en-scène of Victorian-era London called us with a sense of mystery, enchantment and of a ghost tale yet to come.

And oh, what a story it was!

Being a long-time theatre lover, bringing my own children (8 and 10) to their first production was memorable in itself, but the show that was about to unfold, well, not only was it the perfect show for them to step into the magic that is the theatre but to also officially begin celebrating the festive season too.

Image: Jeff Busby.

As the show began with entrancing ringing of bells in the tune of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, the audience was transported into Christmas time in Dickens’ London. Along, with the bells, violins, reeds and cellos were used throughout, bringing 12 atmospheric carols to life. 

The costumes were not only authentic but also used practically in dance numbers which were impressive, and the combination of this, the set design, including the use of four doors to symbolise the transportation of place and time, fit together perfectly, and together allowed the audience to really be immersed in the story.

But of course, a production wouldn't be a production without the actors, and what incredible performances were had!

The all-star cast including Tony Award winner and international screen star, Owen Teale in the titular role, Bernard Curry (Wentworth) and Deborah Lawrance (Home and Away), more than graced the stage, they dominated it. 

Image: Manuel Harlen.

The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he is shown his past, present and future in an attempt to transform the mean-spirited man into one kinder and gentler version and along the way themes of community, connectedness and seemingly impossible redemption are explored. 

While these messages were important in Victorian times, they remain poignant and relevant today which is possibly why I wasn’t the only person to shed a tear.

Or, not the only one to literally laugh out loud, for that matter. So loud it was raucous at one point as the audience became enthralled with the interactive components of the show. From helping move giant sausages from the balcony to the stage, to catching fruit as it was thrown into the crowd like something from a Christmas movie itself.

Image: Jeff Busby.

The two-hour production is recommended for audiences 8 years and over, and both my daughters absolutely loved it. For them, the Christmas carols and fake snow would have been enough to get ten out of ten, but she adored the entire show and asked as we were leaving, “When can we come again?”

A Christmas Carol is showing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre now playing until January 7, 2024. Book your tickets now at Ticketek. 

Feature Image: Supplied/Jeff Busby.