Rating: ★★★★
Venue: The Lost Estate, London
Cast: Tama Phethean
December 24th, 1843. Christmas Eve.
Charles Dickens—writer, performer, occasional magician—is preparing his famous annual feast at his home near Regents Park. This year is very different. Charles has spent months stalking the City at midnight; locked in his study, weeping and guffawing at who knows what; ushering vast theatrical machines into his home amid the pre-dawn light. Tonight, you, and his other guests, will discover why. Tonight, ‘A Christmas Carol’, the greatest festive tale ever told, will be born…
A Christmas Carol is one of most beloved Christmas stories of all time, written by Charles Dickens at the age of just 31 (just one of the snippets of information you're given whilst queueing to be seated). Penning a story that would become one of the most iconic Christmas classics of all time is no small feat, but A Christmas Carol is just one of many of his successes.
During the festive season, we're used to many iterations of the story, some adaptations remaining loyal to the original (such as A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic) while others adapting with a modern twist (such as Ebony Scrooge at Sadler's Wells). This particular adaptation is distinguishable from the rest not just for the feast that accompanies it, but also because it's a one-person show.
Charles Dickens, played by Tama Phethean at this performance (the role is shared between three actors), tells us the iconic story we all know and love, set around the time in which he wrote it, 1843. Phethean switches between characters with ease. From body language, facial expressions, accents, he uses a plethora of ways to distinguish characters, all of which effective. To command a room of that size whilst having to play so many characters is a mammoth task, but he manages to hold the audience in the palm of his hand from our opening introduction to Dickens.
The set, by Darling & Edge, is immersive in a way I haven't experienced before, whereby you're instantly transported to Victorian Britain as soon as you leave the Charles Dickens exhibit at the beginning of the production. Lanterns adorned from the ceiling, books scattered against walls, and Christmas wreaths are just some of the décor used to capture the experience of a true Victorian Christmas.
The lighting by Peter Small and sound by Sebastian Frost are both remarkably effective, particularly in capturing the eeriness and intensity of the visits from the ghosts. Marley's ghost is particularly chilling but it would not be anywhere near as captivating without the light and sound accompanying alongside.
With a name like The Great Christmas Feast, it goes without saying that food plays a huge part in the enjoyment of the production. The serving staff were exceptional, particularly with allergies and the speed of replenishment of drinks.
As a gluten free diner, it's always daunting trying new places and the first two courses (full menu available here) were top quality that were both difficult to fault, particularly in comparison to the standard version which was almost identical. However, the gluten free dessert, which for standard guests was Twelfth Night cake with brandy butter ice cream, was abysmal; simply two small circles of chocolate mousse. For a production that involves food that has been running for as long as this one has, it's a huge disappointment and unacceptable at the price point that tickets start at. I would have been more than happier with a pre-bought mince pie...or the inevitable chocolate brownie!
A flight of cocktails were also included within our gifted ticket, all of which were positively festive. We started with a mulled wine-based cocktail, followed by a peach gin-inspired cocktail, then a bourbon-based cocktail and ending with a coffee-inspired dessert cocktail. While not all were to my palate, there was something to suit everyone's tastes.
The most magical part of A Christmas Carol is always Scrooge's transformation at the end and the joy of that section was everything it should have been and more. One thing's for sure, you'll leave feeling as though the festive season is finally here!
You can book tickets to The Great Christmas Feast, here.
**photo credit: Hanson Leatherby**
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