A brand-new, musical version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is set to delight families in Cambridge this Christmas. It’s being staged by a company with quite a reputation.
I think this hard-hearted and highly critical theatre reviewer must have liked Corkscrew Theatre’s Father Frost back in December 2022.
I described the show, written by Geoff Page and Sophie McMahon, as “cleverly written, craftfully acted and beautiful sung. I said it was a “masterclass in performance”, and “skilfully choreographed, compelling, amusing and uplifting and “a sparkling gem.” Not, you understand, that I ever go over the top when I like a show.
So, this new family entertainment – a musical version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which like Father Frost has music specially written by Cambridge composer Geoff Page, has a lot to live up to.
We are promised (as with Father Frost) a multi-talented cast of singers, actors, and puppeteers, including the very talented Will Males (an actor who can do no wrong for me) and Matt Wilkinson as Scrooge.
The show is suitable for all ages, says Corkscrew’s director Lesley Ford. “This play is a perfect family show full of humour, music, and surprises.
“We’ve taken a familiar story and infused it with every ounce of theatre magic – beautiful new songs, characterful puppets and performances that will delight the whole family. It’s a Christmas Carol like you’ve never seen it.”
Geoff Page has written and composed more than 20 musicals, ranging from intimate one-man shows such as The Ancient Mariner to large-scale productions featuring over a hundred delightfully mischievous pirates in The Pirate Queens.
His musical drama No Sleep for the Haunted was produced by Corkscrew Theatre in 2017. By day, he is a music teacher to students in Bedford aged seven to sixth form.
A Christmas Carol runs from December 14 at The Village Hall Ickleton at 2.30pm and 6.30 pm, and on Saturday December 20 at The Atrium Theatre at Chesterton Village College at 1pm and 4.30pm. Tickets cost £14 / £8 under 16s from www.ticketsource.co.uk/corkscrew-theatre
