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Review of Mr Fezziwig's Christmas

"Audience star in Christmas Cracker"

by Tim Mottershead for remotegoat on 13/12/10

On a cold night in Buxton, Distraction Theatre Company's Mr. Fezziwig's Christmas presented perhaps the most crucial, and certainly the most enjoyable scene from Scrooge's past, and condensed several characters and key scenes (in an adaptation by Gadsby and Glenn) from later on in Dickens' A Christmas Carol for good measure.

The production opened by establishing Fezziwig's Christmas credentials with a reminder that "has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome", proceeding to a bustling depiction of Victorian Christmas that began as it intended to go on by immediately involving the audience in the jolly romp, replete with chestnut sellers, wreath sellers, and those attempting to make "some slight provision for the poor" at this festive time. There was also an early example of a nifty line in put-downs. Quizzing latecomers who had come from "just down the road", Mrs. Fezziwig replied "Ooh...I've come from Nottingham dear, but I managed to get here on time, never mind!" The audience lapped it up, and continued to thoroughly enjoy themselves for the remainder of the evening.

4 cast members took all the parts: Eddie Beardsmore played Fezziwig, and Fezziwig's apprentice the bashful young Scrooge; Rebecca Gadsby played Mrs. Fezziwig, and a Choirgirl; Katherine Glenn played Scrooge's sweetheart Belle, Dick Wilkins (Fezziwig's other apprentice) a rather well oiled Lady Bracknell (though mercifully bereft of handbag or catchphrase) and a chimney sweep; and Sarah Gain played Miss Fezziwig, Scrooge's future partner the grasping Jacob Marley (portrayed with the suggestion that it was he who was about to lead Scrooge astray), Mrs. Trill, Mistress Gleaming, and a choirgirl. The small band of players was turned to amusing advantage in moments such as when in reply to his "Where's Scrooge?" Fezziwig was told "He's outside!" Other more visual gags included Mr., and/or Mrs. Fezziwig welcoming or bidding adieu to their guests as the other 2/3 members of the cast hastily went 'round the back' to reappear in another costume (by Susan Glenn and Louise Pritchett) as a yet another member of the raucous crew (ably stage managed by Richard Pickering).

Over the course of the evening we were given mince pies, invited to recharge our glasses, insulted, and involved in various Victorian parlour games including: sculpting, blindman's buff, a hilarious rendition of 'the 12 Days of Christmas'; given a splendid repast "quite as great as if it cost a fortune" (which gave a whole new meaning to the term 'dinner dance' replete with terpsichorean carrot, sprout, turkey, and Christmas pudd.) and treated to "the great effect of the evening" the dance the Sir Roger de Coverley.

Like all the best parties the time passed quickly, and it was over all too soon...till 7 o clock next Christmas Eve!

PAST REVIEWS:

Broadway Baby August 2010:

"All three are terrific actors bringing clarity and distinction to each role...the speed of some of the changes is bewildering"