Theatre Review A Christmas Carol Thingwall Players Amateur Theatre Group Thingwall Community Centre Liverpool

This family friendly stage adaptation by James Hutchison of a famous classic by Charles Dickens, was directed and produced by Charlotte Holguin and beautifully performed by the Thingwall Players to a packed audience. Charlotte’s version of the story ensures you meet Mr Bentley, hear about letters that Scrooge writes to his sister Fran, we find out about Belle who was the love of his life and we are introduction to Mr Newbury.

The production began with violinists and a recorderist gently playing a Christmas tune (musicians Emma Laurie, Sally Laurie, Aslan Herzen, Natalie Pearce, Chrys Fergani and Meredith Clayton) accompanied by a vocal ensemble, and some of the cast appeared from behind the audience and joined the singing.

The stage was set to portray Scrooges' abode, a scantily clad, cold sombre room and credit must be given to Robert Bowes for set design/maker and costumes Carol Golightly for doing an excellent job throughout the performance in achieving a perfect depiction of the era adding to the atmospheric feeling. The stage was cleverly and impressively changed into many different settings which added to the story as it unfolded.

The main character Scrooge, played by Zoran Blackie, was the standout performer of the night, who embodies the miserable, miserly, unfeeling character perfectly, but all the cast deserve credit for creating a believable story unfolding before our eyes. Scrooge is visited during the night by his dead working business partner Jacob Marley played by Paul Arends who warns him of what will become of him, in death like him, and warns him to change his ways and it’s a terrifying thought for Scrooge.

Next the Ghost of Christmas Past dressed all in white played by Holly Blue takes him back in time to his childhood and through his youth to happier times and a happier self, where he is a caring compassionate man, has friends, a fiancé and was well liked and respected by those around him, and before his collaboration with Jacob Marley and his greed for money and influence had set in.

The Ghost of Christmas Present dressed all in red played by Lorna Pout takes Scrooge on a journey of the present day which gives him an honest look at how he is perceived by those around him now, a lonely, miserable, bitter, mean and frugal unsympathetic man, whom he himself doesn’t care for either, he’s angry with himself for becoming this unlikable character. She also gives him a glimpse of how he can have a second chance at being the man he once was, and the realisation of where he is now.

The Ghost of Christmas Future all dressed in black and played by Chrys Fergani takes Scrooge to his death, funeral and graveyard where nobody attends or pays their respects, and he is mortified deeply upset at the thought of this happening. His chance to put things right is amplified, and he makes haste to make this happen. The moral of this tale is that by giving your time and care and money if you have it, by showing empathy and affection to our fellow man, brings about a wonderful feeling of happiness and connection and enrichment to our lives.

The only criticism I have is that a few of the cast members did not project their voices loud enough for the audience to hear what they were saying which was a shame.

The finale was a rip roaring sing-a-long with a very large cast which the audience applauded to most enthusiastically.

The ensemble and other cast members, along with the crew, deserve a hearty round of applause for a very enjoyable production -  all listed below:-

Young Scrooge – Conor Burns

Bob Cratchit – Kevin Thomas

Mrs. Cratchit – Natalie Pearce

Belle, Martha Cratchit – Meredith Clayton

Scrooge as a boy, Peter Cratchit, boy in street – Will Holguin

Carol singer, Abigail Cratchit, Georgina, girl – Hattie Holguin

Tiny Tim Cratchit – Emma Laurie

Mrs. Dilber (Scrooge’s housemaid) – Laura Powell

Fred – Connor Jones

Fan, Emma – Zoe Marras

Dick Wilkens, Topper – Shaun Greatbanks

Mrs Harrington, Rose – Angela McComb

Cook, Mrs Fezziwig – Kate Mulvihill

Mr. Fezziwig – Stephen Walsh

Grace, girl in Street – Serenity Arends

Mr. Bentley, Caroline – Samra Uddin

Thomas – Ray Ormsby

Mrs. Granger, Mr Newbury – Vicki Griffiths

Old Joe, homeless person – Tom Large

First Businessman – Dave Owens

Second Businessman – Dan Pout

Musicians – Emma Laurie, Sally Laurie, Aslan Herzen, Natalie

Pearce, Chrys Fergani, Meredith Clayton

Light and Sound lead technician – Meg Doherty

Light and Sound assistants – Bethany and Natasha Cragg

Backstage/ Props – Caroline Doyle, Hayley Jeffrey and Laura Powell

Musician lead – Sally Laurie

Set making – Robert Bowes

Social Media/ Publicity – Mish Forder

This was a very enjoyable adaptation of the well-known Dicken's Christmas tale which Thingwall Players gave four performances, running from 4th-6th December.

For further productions please see their website……………

Reviewer: Jill Ollerton

On: 06.12.2025