Jack and the Beanstalk-Lichfield Garrick Theatre, 10/12/24

Posted on January 13, 2025 by garylongden

The safe option. A traditional panto, at a traditional panto theatre, performed by an experienced traditional theatre company albeit with untraditionally climbing ticket prices.

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Firstly, a disclaimer, I have known the star, Dame Sam Rabone for fifteen years and have performed alongside him. He is a friend, however secondly I paid for my own ticket and those of ten of my family who accompanied me ( over £200) – so I can say what I want!

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Production values are high, the stage looks good, and the costumes are bright and shiny. Sam is a veteran Dame and holds the show together.

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There is always a story behind the story of a good panto .  Jack returns after nine years. In this case it is  writer and media polymath Paul Hendy and Evolution productions who have ten shows running UK  wide simultaneously starring the likes of: Stephen Mulhern, Duncan James, and  Shirley Ballas. Whilst Evolution guarantee a standard, there is plenty of room for local jokes ( the folk of Rugeley do not escape) and topical political gags.

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In a show in which we of course have a man as a dame . Jak is performed by a woman. However Becky Sanneh seems unsure whether this sis a girly jack, or a boyish jack and falls awkwardly in the middle. Ben Thornton appears as  hapless son Billy giving us lenty of laughs, and Gill Jordan (previously known as her Black Country character, Doreen Tipton) is a pensioner Fairy Sugarsnap. As a pensioner myself I have nothing  against employing pensioners but the role was clunky and  poorly written, She deserved better.

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The star of the show was Joe Feeney as  villain , ‘Luke Backinanger’, the giant’s henchman. Feeney’s performance is part camp, part psychotic murderer in waiting, and is magnificent.

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Act One starts with big production numbers but runs out of steam. Act two is a joy, with Dame Trott’s shower sequence the highlight. Although I have seen the ghost sequence dozens of times before, my grandchildren had not, and loved it. A  rip roaring wedding finale had grandaugher Darcy dancing in the aisles to “Proud Mary”

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Christmas requires snow, Santa and a good pantomime. Lichfield Garrick did their bit

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David Bowie Blackstar album- a retrospective

Posted on January 12, 2025 by garylongden

I feel unease about both the album itself, and listening to it nine years on from release.

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I am aware of no other major musical composer ( popular or classical) who composed and recorded his own epitaph, and then died. I am listening to it now as I write. The music and lyric is intensely personal. I do not see it as a gift. I see it as an unique valediction, unfettered by what others think, or might think. The music had no  critical context, it is unsullied by the opinions of others. There is no edit, or 2017 remix.

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The title track soars like a spirit leaving the body while accompanied by a choir of mourners.

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It is not a collection that I listen to for pleasure  or fun but from morbid, prurient, curiosity.

We all have our own personal tastes, and I respect those of others. Greatness is in the ear and eye of the beholder. For me David’s last great album  was “Scary Monsters”. Blackstar the album is not in the same musical stratosphere. We are approaching  the end of the great Pop and Rock era, great albums are in short supply. Frankly, much of what there is to be said through  ther pop and rock medium has been said.

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There are some wonderful valedictions in the artistic world from authors,  Orwells’ 1984, Hesses “Glass bead game and Wilde’s “Dorian Gray” spring to mind. In theu pop and rock era we are running out of heroes, and time. Maybe Gilmour, McCartney, Springsteen, Dylan, Young, Costello  or more recently Taylor Swift will deliver?

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The tracks “Blackstar” and “Lazarus” are outstanding, the rest are not. The album is a dish served hot, cooked, and then to be consumed, not reflected upon. Not to be                    a allowed to go cold.

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For me the missing chapter from the Bowie story is what might have come- a completed 1984 ( with copy right restrictions now lapsed), or maybe something entirely new, an original musical perhaps?

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As a time served Bowiephile I have never felt obliged to like all of David’s output. Not even he liked all his own output!

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This is the sound of a man on his death bed, doing what he could with what he had, not the culmination of some great musical project, tinged with desperation and despair.

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Where the **** did Monday go?

Its nothing to me, there’s nothing to see. As he rushed to return to the English evergreens.

_

Its honesty leaves me feeling ghoulish

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BBC Northern Soul orchestra tour – the Halls, Wolverhampton, 23rd April 2024

Posted on January 9, 2025 by garylongden

From an idea debuted at ghe Royal Albert hall forf the proms a reimagining of the classic soul sound with production values unlown and unheard of at the time of its inception, hosted by Stuart Maconie.

The first of five regional shows performed in the “heartlands” , starting in Wolverhampton where there had been a “legendary” club called The Catacombs, thereafter taking in London, Manchester, Sheffield and Gateshead .

Stuart Maconie

The the live shows comprise 36 standards over two halves.

“It is music that it is impossible to be immune to,” he added.

Following the phenomenal success of the Northern Soul BBC Prom last summer at the Royal Albert Hall, writer and BBC Radio 6 Music broadcaster Stuart Maconie, alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra and Manchester composer and conductor Joe Duddell have taken the show on the road.

The five live shows will be in Wolverhampton, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Gateshead in April and May, the orchestra augmented by six extremely talented vocalists who took an elated audience on a trek back through time with all the classics, inclufing the soaring singalong chorus of “The Night, and “theres a Ghost in my house” a wonderful instrumental rendition of the Just Brothers’ Sliced Tomatoes (famously sampled on Fatboy Slim’s The Rockafeller Skank) and of course, the famous Wigan 3 before 8, Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, and I’m on My Way by Dean Parrish. Dobi Grays’s”out on the floor! was imperious.

Northern Soul Orchestrated took the audience on a trip back to the 1970s.
Northern Soul Orchestrated took the audience on a trip back to the 1970s.

Of course, a trio of Northern Soul’s biggest gems were kept right until the end – the funky slice of R&B pop that is There’s A Ghost In My House, Gloria Jones’s incredible Tainted Love and Frank Wilson’s euphoric Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) topping things off.

An incredible night of incredible sounds from a scene that  is as alive today as ever.

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Lloyd Cole – Buxton Opera House, 27th oct 2023

Posted on January 7, 2025 by garylongden

I first saw Lloyd with the Commotions at Wembley Arena when they were at the height of their fame. Beloved by the indy crowd and pushing into the Mainstream, but not quite cementing a place there. His status as a worthy singer songwriter was undeniable- his ability to front a rock band and all the songs was in question. The gig did nothing to answer the doubts. the best songs sounded great, the rest were lost in the unforgiving open spaces of the arena. Tonight the set was simple, no frills, just the music in one of the UK’s very best concert auditoriums

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Lyrically he is as dense, and obtuse, and inspired at times as Bob Dylan, but lacking the conviction and punch of Elvis Costello or Graham Parker whilst revelling in the wry word play so beloved of Neil tenant, his obvious contemporary peer was Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy, “National Express” could easily be a Cole song.

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His four piece band on the road (including himself on bass), was in support of his On Pain album. Starring Commotions co-founders Blair Cowan and Neil Clark, and Icelandic drummer Signy Jakobsdottir. and consisted of a semi-acoustic first part and an electric second half straddling material from his entire career.

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The Buxton opera House has always been a home town gig for him even though he moved to America to marry Elizabeth in 1989 and resides now in Easthampton Massachusetts. Whilst not established at the top table of rock and pop, none the less he has carved out a respectable career, always recording and touring and writing film soundtrack material.  Tonight he name checked his English teacher, He grew up in nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith and went to New Mills Comprehensive School. In new York he worked with Fred Maher and Robert Quine of Lou reed and the Voidoids fame. I always have the sense that Cole harbour a desire to have been a part of that New York scene.

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What was the show like?

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To a die hard fan like me it was musical heaven. lloyd played what he fancied, how he fancied, with only a handful of classic favourites and the off beat treats served up in spades. That is what you get at a Cole concert. thirty two songs of them. Lloyd looked dressed as a waiter on cruise ship, with some of the delivery akin to a cruise ship house band at the worst, but generally with a smile on his face and his tongue in his cheek.

To the casual observer it was dreary, and lacked pace and dynamism and could not be saved by the gems. but this evening was for the converted, not a recruitment drive for new fans.

  1. Set 1
  2. Don’t Look Back(
  3. Mr. Malcontent(
  4. Trigger Happy
  5. On Pain
  6. Why I Love Country Music
  7. Headlights
  8. No More Love Songs
  9. My Other Life
  10. 2cv
  11. Undressed
  12. Tried to Rock
  13. Rattlesnakes
  14. Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?

  1. Set 2
  2. No Blue Skies
  3. Night Sweats
  4. Minor Character
  5. Violins
  6. Blue Like Mars
  7. Mister Wrong
  8. Pay for It
  9. Perfect Skin
  10. Wolves
  11. Perfect Blue
  12. Myrtle and Rose
  13. The Idiot
  14. Brand New Friend(
  15. Forest Fire(
  16. Encore:
  17. The Young Idealists
  18. Mainstream(

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Wembley Arena, 17th April 1988

Thirty five years earlier, a much shorter set reflecting only two albums of recorded material

Set list

  1. From the Hip
  2. Charlotte Street
  3. Love Your Wife
  4. Lonely Mile
  5. Rattlesnakes
  6. Perfect Skin
  7. Perfect Blue
  8. Hey Rusty
  9. My BagP
  10. Sean Penn Blues
  11. Forest Fire
  12. Speedboat

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Toyah/ Fripp- Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall 22/12/24

Posted on December 28, 2024 by garylongden

Essentially this is the same tour, with the same setlist as I saw at Buxton Opera House last year. Meanwhile Toyah has been busy with live work, not least at Glastonbury, a tribute and testament to her stamina, ability and determination, Neither of them need the money, but I suspect both need the admiration and thrill of live performance.

Following toyah’s credible appearance on “Strictly Come dancing, her you tube channel “Sunday lunch continues to grab millions of views with their off bet covers selection, a selection on display tonight.

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Toyah’s luvvy -dovey stage banter with Fripp is a tad gooey for my tastes, but her performance isn’t. She opened with  ‘Thunder In The Mountains,’  even has time for  new song  ‘Roses In Chains‘ . ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’  and ‘Paranoid. Iommi reputedly texting her with “What the f*** was that” upon hearing it!

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The jingly jangly  ‘Echo Beach,’ was beefed up with a stronger synth accompaniment, Essentially this is the same tour, with the same setlist as I saw at Buxton Opera House last year. Meanwhile Toyah has been busy with live work, not least at Glastonbury, a tribute and testament to her stamina, ability and determination, Neither of them need the money, but I suspect both need the admiration and thrill of live performance.

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For the last night of the tour, in Wolverhampton, the home of Slade they could  not dare  not play  “Merry Xmas everybody”, for the ultimate feel good finale. When she was 16 I bet Toyah sang “I love Rock n Roll” in her bedroom pretending to be Joan Jett- fifty years later she is still doing it!

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A cracking, warm festive show, catch her with Fripp while you can. “Keep on Rocking in the Free world”

Setlist:

Thunder in the Mountains

Are Your Going to Go My Way

(Lenny Kravitz cover)

Echo Beach

(Martha and the Muffins cover)

It’s a Mystery

Sweet Child o’ Mine

(Guns N’ Roses cover)

Heart of Glass

(Blondie cover)

Paranoid

(Black Sabbath cover)

Fashion

(David Bowie cover)

Roses in Chains

Enter Sandman

(Metallica cover)

Sharp Dressed Man

(ZZ Top cover)

Rebel Yell

(Billy Idol cover)

Rockin’ in the Free World

(Neil Young cover)

I Want to Be Free

Merry Christmas Everybody

(Slade cover)

Heroes

(David Bowie cover)

I Love Rock and Roll

(Joan Jett and the Blackhearts cover)

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Toyah and Fripp -Buxton Opera House, 25/10/23

Posted on December 22, 2024 by garylongden

The Buxton Opera House is one of my favourite UK music venues. Grand, large enough to create an atmosphere, but small enough to offer intimacy.

The Sunday lunch has given the careers of Toyah and Fripp, as a couple, and individually, a massive boost. They play and perform with a smile on their faces and a tongue in their cheeks. Its fun, and they don’t need the money.

Th setlist is insane, offbeat, eclectic and wonderful. Fripp’s guitar on ” Kashmir” is ethereal, Toyah’s vocals on “Heroes” a delight.

I had forgotten that Fripp had played on Parallel lines giving them licence to play a cracking version of “Heart of Glass”

The anecdotes were priceless- how many people have Robert Plant dropping by unannounced for a cup of tea?

Do whatever it take to catch a date- it is no mystery

SET LIST

Thunder in The Mountain (Toyah)
Heart of Glass (Blondie)
Are You Gonna Go My Way (Lenny Kravitz)
Echo Beach (Toyah / Martha & The Muffins)
Enter Sandman (Metallica)
It’s A Mystery (Toyah)
Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
Sunshine of Your Love (Cream)
Tainted Love (Soft Cell)
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)

INTERVAL

leya (Toyah)
School’s Out (Alice Cooper)
Sweet Child o’ Mine (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
Fashion (David Bowie)
Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top)
Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young)
Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
Rebel Yell (Billy Idol)
Heroes (David Bowie)
I Wanna Be Free (Toyah)

encore
I Love Rock and Roll (Joan Jett)

Toyah – lead vocals
Robert Fripp – guitar
with
Guitar/pedal steel/harmonica/vocal – Manolo Polidario
Guitar – Nat Martin
Bass – Mike Nichols
Keyboard, vocals – Chloe du Pre
Keyboard, vocals – Emily Francis
Drums – David Keech

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Marc Almond Live

Posted on December 19, 2024 by garylongden

Marc Almond Birningham Symphony Hall 16th Sept, 2024 /Leeds Grand Theatre

Marc is one of the great pop singers of the pop era, and following George Michael’s demise our greatest torch singer. Although a fine songwriter himself this was a covers tour. Covers always tell you so much about the musical roots of an artist and this set was no exception

It was an evening of eclectic, surprising and sometimes exotic selctions from popular muic’back catalogue. Sometimes the mood inveitable jarred  genre morphed into another, bit that ws a small price topay.

It was the anniversary of the great pop elf Marc Bolan’s death, Almonds tribute, a barnstorming “Children of the revolution” was superb

Otherwise the set was largely what he performed at Leeds without the Dana Gillespie numbers

I’m the Light

Gone With The Wind (Is My Love)

Elusive Butterfly

(Bob Lind cover)

Trouble of the World

 (with Bryan Chambers)

A Woman’s Story

The Heel

The Boss Is Dead

Yesterday When I Was Young

What Makes a Man

I Have Lived

Terrapin

Gloomy Sunday

Dream Lover

One Night of Sin

How Can I Be Sure

The London Boys

Stardom Road

 (with Dana Gillespie)

Dance Me to the End of Love

 (with Dana Gillespie)

If You Go Away

Sebastian

The House Is Haunted

The Days of Pearly Spencer

Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart

Tainted Love

Jacky

I Close my eyes and Count to ten

Children of the Revolution

I’m Not Anyone

Leeds Grand Theatre, sept 8th, 2024

An opening night of the tour gig is always special, when it is your adopted home town It is doubly special and Yorkshire pop cognoscenti packed out the theatre for opening night.

A Charles Aznavour triplet, a stunning”How Can I be sure” usurping David Cassidy’s great cover and a mad “terrapin” from syd Barrett were amongst the highlights

The late Steve Harley ws famous for “Come up and see me” but Sebastian” shone tonight

I’m the Light

(Blue Cheer cover)

Gone With The Wind (Is My Love)

(Rita Graham cover)

Elusive Butterfly

(Bob Lind cover)

Trouble of the World

(Mahalia Jackson cover)

A Woman’s Story

(Cher cover)

The Heel

(Eartha Kitt cover)

The Boss Is Dead

(Charles Aznavour cover)

Yesterday When I Was Young

(Charles Aznavour cover)

What Makes a Man

(Charles Aznavour cover)

I Have Lived

(Charles Aznavour cover)

Play Video

Terrapin

(Syd Barrett cover)

Gloomy Sunday

(Kalmár Pál cover)

Dream Lover

(Bobby Darin cover)

One Night of Sin

(Elvis Presley cover)

How Can I Be Sure

(The Rascals cover)

The London Boys

(David Bowie cover)

Stardom Road

(Third World War cover)

If You Go Away

(Jacques Brel cover)

Big Louise

(Scott Walker cover)

Sebastian

(Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel cover)

The House Is Haunted

(Mel Tormé cover)

The Days of Pearly Spencer

(David McWilliams cover)

Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart

(Gene Pitney cover)

Tainted Love

(Gloria Jones cover)

Jacky

(Jacques Brel cover)

I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten

(Dusty Springfield cover)

I’m Not Anyone

Marc Almond- the Foundry Birmingham 18th May 1995

A mad gig in an impossibly small room for the “On the prowl” tour. Intimate, chaotic, and barely under control, Marc stormed through Soft cell and solo material at breathtaking pace reminding everyone what a great performer he is to an adoring committed crowd.

Caged

Loveless World

Beautiful Brutal Thing

Heat

On the Prowl

The User

Brilliant Creatures

Bedsitter

We Need Jealousy

The Idol

Martin

Looking for Love (in All the Wrong Places)

Tainted Love

(Gloria Jones cover)

Adored and Explored

Encore:

Child Star

Sex Dwarf

Memorabilia

 Marc Almond Academy 2 Birmingham Dec1 2007

A strange night. The Academty2 at thisstage was the bar area on the first floor, wholly inadequate for marc. But the event was sold out and he played a stormer.

Stardom Rd

I Have Lived

These My Dreams Are Yours

Tears Run Rings

Your Aura

The Idol

Tragedy (Take a Look and See)

Dream Lover

Child Star

Mr Sad

If You Go Away

Jacky

Amsterdam

(Jacques Brel cover) (Acoustic)

Brilliant Creatures

Redeem Me (Beauty Will Redeem the World)

The Days of Pearly Spencer

The Boy Who Came Back

My Hand Over My Heart

Ruby Red

I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten

Encore:

Backstage

Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart

Tainted Love

What

(Melinda Marx cover)

Encore 2:

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

Marc Almond/Soft cell Academy Birmingham  3rd Feb Oct 2003

Darker Times

Monoculture

Divided Soul

Play Video

Le Grand Guignol

Surrender to a Stranger

Last Chance

Barriers

Youth

Loving You, Hating Me

Play Video

Mr. Self Destruct

The Best Way to Kill

Together Alone

Caligula Syndrome

The Night

Soul Inside

Torch

Bedsitter

The Art of Falling Apart

Encore:

Memorabilia

Insecure Me

Tainted Love

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

Marc Almond/ Soft Cell Academy Birmingham 25th Oct 2001

Setlist

Memorabilia

Monoculture

Heat

Divided Soul

Last Chance

Youth

God Shaped Hole

The Best Way to Kill

The Art of Falling Apart

Somebody, Somewhere, Sometime

Torch

Bedsitter

Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

Encore:

Martin

Sex Dwarf

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Conclave – film review

Posted on December 15, 2024 by garylongden

****

A film for grown us. There will be no video game spin offs for this one.

Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, Conclave takes the viewers inside the Vatican during the College of Cardinals’ process of selecting the new Pope…filled with Political in-fighting, twists, turns and surprises.The film, which is by far the best adaptation of Harris’s work to date, is basically 12 Angry Men with incense and some Latin argumentation. We see doors being sealed with red wax, ballots going up in smoke to signal the first round of voting, and cardinals undergoing security checks, vaping and using iPhones. 

As Director by Edward Berger moves things along generally at a sprightly pace apart from a mid film sag, , unravelling a mystery. This is not a “whodunnit” but rather a “who’s gonna get it? ” – and it gets surprisingly tense.

Ralph Fiennes anchors the events as the “Dean” of Cardinals who is tasked with leading the disparate group of Cardinals to a consensus pick of the next Pope. He acts as much as a Detective as a Facilitator as he battles his own conscious of faith…and ambition…all while uncovering schemes and plots of some of the “humble servants” vying for the top job.

Ably assisting are John Lithgow, Isabella Rosellini who battle for the “pole position” in the race to be the next Pope. Special mention should be made ofStanley Tucci for his supporting turn as one of the contenders who’s platform seems to be “I don’t want this” but who, underneath, really, really wants it.

Don’t be surprised if both Fiennes and Tucci (as well as Director Berger) are mentioned come Oscar nomination time (they are that good).

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Chicago- Regent theatre Stoke

Posted on November 29, 2024 by garylongden

Starring Faye Brookes, Sinitta Malone and Kevin Clifton in this new production of the sexy sizzler that is Chicago some fifty years after the show debuted on Broadway in 1975. Please note that as the tour progresses nationwide, the lead roles are subject to change.

On a cold wet dank November pre Christmas night Stoke is  transported back to the 1920s,  Chicago, and introduced to   Roxie Hart,  housewife and nightclub dancer who  has  murdered her  lover after he  was unwise enough to tell her he was leaving her . Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines. Audiences today will be familiar with the ploy beloved by Collen Rooney and Rebecca Vardy in the recent Waggatha Christie trial ( no murder involved, Jamie and Wayne  mercifully live!)

The show is the creative brainchild of  musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. The score shimmies and shimmers with the likes of  “Razzle Dazzle,” “Cell Block Tango,” and “All That Jazz”, all now firmly entrenched as musical  standards.

The stars shone. Faye Brookes, was commanding  as Roxie Hart, “Razzle Dazzle” brought the house down .Opposite her was the dynamic Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly.  Both vying to be top Bitch.

Kevin Clifton excels as slick lawyer Billy Flynn,  bringing humour as well as sleaze to “We Both Reached for the Gun”.

Joshua Lloyd brings heart  and  humour  to the role of Amos Hart, Roxie’s long sufering husband. His performance, particularly in “Mister Cellophane,” was poignant and humorous, capturing the deep sadness of Amos’ situation with genuine empathy. Lloyd’s timing and sincerity made his character’s eventual heartbreak all the more affecting

Last but not least, Simon Cowell favourite and early protégé Sinitta Malone,  swaggers as Mama Morton.

Musical director Rob Fisher leads a live orchestra , which he conducts on stage who perform with vigour and vim , the perfect foil to the stylishly executed choreography. This represents the productions only real extravagance with otherwise a minimalistic set and restrained lighting happy to allow the dancers and dancing to shine.

An enthusiastic audience lapped up the fine fare offering a closing standing ovation for a fine show.

Chicago plays at the Regent Theatre until Saturday 30th November 2024 and continues on nationwide  tour.

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A Christmas Carol – Derby Theatre

Posted on November 28, 2024 by garylongden

 A Christmas Carol- Derby Theatre

****

An all new production written  and adapted from the Dickens original by Mike Kenny and directed by Tom Bellerby.

A clever set  (  by Jess Curtis who also designed the costumes) features the separate  façades of  three individual town houses which rotate to revolve the interiors.

The success of this evergreen classic hinges on the casting of Scrooge, played in this casting  by Gareth Williams.

I naturally empathise with Scrooges’s world view on Christmas. Williams is magnificent with lamb chop sideburns and doleful demeanour pouring scorn on bright eyed children and their adult acolytes. This leitmotif, epitomised by “Bah humbug”,  is adroitly deployed without veering into overkill.

There are a number of festive productions popular at Christmas time.  “A Christmas Carol” is a favourite, and with good cause. Its message of festive cheer and hope at the expense of parsimony and gloom is evergreen, its allure  hinging on the  conversion of grumpy Scrooge to fellow traveller with the festive hullabaloo.  It is the perfect entrée into Christmas which  ended with me following in Scrooges example and looking forwards to, rather than dreading, Christmas.

Scrooges’ opening rant about the poor having Christmas and the workhouse to look out for them could have been written by the speech writer for Kemi Badenoch, with him in full Victorian Curmudgeon, rather than philanthropist,  mode.

The lighting and mood is dim and dour with poverty, beggars and orphans omnipresent. What lifts the production is live on stage folk style music adapting traditional hymns, carols and  songs, Sound Designer is Ivan Stott working alongside Musical Director & Arranger Sonum Batra and deputy Musical Director Eliza Waters.

Although two hours long , director Bellerby maintains  a lively pace with something for everyone. The social commentary is faithful to Dickens’ vision in the novel, the script is humorous and witty, the Victorian sense of Christmas, both in spirit and stage presentation, will delight  older children in a family friendly production.

Charity and overseas aid have come under much media scrutiny recently in an era of financial austerity, Dicken’s reminder that it is our humanity which binds us together and can make us great is as pertinent now as it has ever been.

Scrooges’  faithful employee Bob Cratchit  is wonderfully  portrayed byOliver Mawdsley . The  ensemble cast delight,  not least with outstanding acapella harmonies ably augmented by a talented group of child actors all pleasingly choreographed by Movement Director  Jon Beney.

All contribute to an atmospheric graveyard scene impeccably  lit by  Adam Foley.  Two female voices impressed, Claire Lee Shenfield  as  Belle and April Nerissa Hudson as Joan Cratchit / now  deservedly a veteran and favourite  of the Derby stage. As a trivia note, that vocal pedigree is underpinned by   Gareth Williams’ history as a member of 1970’s hit vocal group The Flying Pickets.

 Younger children may need encouragement with the wordy narrative, older children will be pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy it.

This is a lovely Christmas show which runs until Saturday 4 January 2025.

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