Money is all ‘Ebbie’ Scrooge cares about, and this is what she depends on. We watch as the Ghost of Christmas past, present and future take on Madame Scrooge, hoping to redeem her in time for Christmas day. Set in Cardiff in 1843, the play is a blend of modernity and tradition, allowing people of all ages to immerse themselves in the joy of Christmas.

The Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Catrin Mai Edwards, is inspired by Welsh tradition and folklore. Catrin incorporates the Welsh language, delivering a whimsical and captivating performance that illuminates the stage. This character is both an ominous and enchanting figure. 

Ghosts of ‘Christmas Present’ and ‘Future’ 

The introduction of the joyful Ghost of Christmas Present came right before the interval, beaming with festive cheer and bringing happiness to the entire audience. His rockstar entrance brought gasps from the audience which quickly turned into excitement as we saw the glimmers of red, green, and gold emerge from behind the stage. The comedic rendition of the song ‘Get This Party Started’ sent the audience into quite a frenzy with many cheers coming from the children. After the interval, the Ghost was accompanied by the ‘Business Bauble’ and the ‘Fun Bauble’, who were dressed in shining red and gold, almost like ‘Tweedledum’ and ‘Tweedledee’ turned festive!  After sprinkling magical golden glitter, they took Scrooge on a mission to help her realise that money wasn’t the only thing she needed in life, but also love and affection from others. I loved the modern, comedic twist for this character! This family-friendly version of the Ghost was definitely a hit with the younger members of the audience. I enjoyed the modern take on it and I will certainly remember it!

The Ghost of Christmas Future brought a darker tone to the play, showing Scrooge what her future Christmases could hold. The staging was impressive, with the Ghost occupying the back of the stage, enhancing its ominous presence. The loud rumbling sound effect and the haunting costume, featuring all-black fabric and skeletal hands, were particularly striking. Three actors worked together to bring the Ghost to life, using hand gestures and head movements. This Ghost was my favourite, as the visual effects and powerful portrayal added to the emotional impact, reminding Scrooge of the consequences of her actions. Although there was less laughter and excitement from the children at this point, I felt it was important to return to the more serious moral of the play and how all of these ghosts impacted Scrooge’s behaviour. This was however, my favourite Ghost of them all as the costuming and staging were so effective.

The visual elements of the play were fantastic, utilising all forms of theatre to enhance the story. A small but impressive cast juggled multiple roles, singing, dancing, using puppets, and effortlessly switching between musical instruments both on and off stage. This showcased exceptional talent, and I was hugely impressed by the actors ability to master so many different skills.

The play strikes the perfect balance of satire and warmth, without ever being overwhelming! You’ll find yourself on your feet, dancing to Christmas songs and getting into the Christmas spirit. It’s a show for the whole family, a great way to celebrate the warmth and togetherness of the Christmas season.

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A Christmas Carol is at the Sherman Theatre until the 4th Jan 2025.

This review was written by Isabel Chance, who covered the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Future, and Katie Storrie, who focused on the Ghost of Christmas Past and the rest of the production.

Featured image courtesy of Mark Douet. No Changes have been made to the image.