REVIEW: A Christmas Carol – Lourdes Theatre Group, Glasgow
As we tip-toe towards the Christmas season, Lourdes Theatre Group take us a step closer to that festive feeling with this production of Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens’ A Christmas Carol.
This is the perfect show to help get into the spirit of the season, having as it does a joyous charm throughout. Menken and Ahren’s music has that magical Disney feel that will soften even the hardest of hearts.
The large ensemble are fine voiced from the start and truly shine when singing together, their joy at performing together just radiates from the faces of the performers throughout.
Accompanied by one of the best sounding orchestras I’ve heard anywhere in the UK the musicians are polished to perfection. Special credit must go to the masterful musical direction of Des McLean who keeps the energy levels and quality up for the length of the piece and to the sound engineers who had the balance of orchestra and voice perfectly balanced throughout.
This is a largely youthful cast ably supported by a small band of more seasoned performers: Kevin Lynch in the central role of Ebenezer Scrooge is a fantastic talent, with crystal-clear diction and a soaring voice, he convincingly portrays the transformation of the cold-hearted miser with a sureness of touch and no small amount of skill. In smaller but memorable roles are: Sarah Kerr as the Blind Old Hag/Ghost of Christmas Future – not only in possession of a beautiful voice, Kerr is a fine young actress and dancer as well. Lee Anne Holly and Claire McKernan as Mrs. Cratchitt and Sally Anderson are also both strong-voiced young actresses who doubtlessly would shine given bigger roles. Special mention must also go to Alexander Campbell, one of the tiniest cast members who stole the hearts of the audience as the young Scrooge.
This is an engaging production, performed with spirit and heart, and its warmth will fill you choc full of the true spirit of Christmas. See it if you can.
Runs until Saturday at Lourdes Secondary, Cardonald.
