EODS OPERATIC SECTION
2005
Scrooge, the Musical
REVIEW
by Jeremy Malies
From 'Sussex Express' Nov 25th, 2005
Eastbourne Operatic & Dramatic Society (EODS) presented a first-rate production of 'Scrooge: The Musical' at the Devonshire Park Theatre. While the cast batted down to Number 11, plaudits should go to director Peter Gurr for an innovative and witty interpretation and to James Bell who was outstanding in the title role. Dickens' story is so powerful that it gives anybody working with it plenty of flexibility and Gurr lavished so much care on every cast member that one didn't know where to look next.
Highlights were the Faustian scene in which Scrooge looks down on the Cratchit household and the duo 'I Like Life' between Bell and Mike Barber who gave a powerful performance as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The production teems with beguiling touches, notably by-play with the street puppeteer and the treatment of the toy shop scene which benefited from a convincing set of marionettes. Choreographer Sue Wood should be singled out for special praise here. The costumes were of a high standard throughout but the wardrobe managers excelled in this sequence. Another gem was the scene in which Mr Bleak (Guy Pymble) conducts a group of urchins in a carol.
Just occasionally Bell's vowels are a bit too Anthony Newleyesque but he is close to flawless and sets up an immediate rapport with the audience, giving the character just enough of a hard edge to be convincing without making his persona unpalatable to children. The scene in which he talks to his younger self, berating him for errors to come was particularly moving. But it was confusing that there was no attempt to delineate Thomas Hackett in his twin roles of Harry and the young Ebenezer.
The company's stage management team should be complimented on wonderful effects including the entrance of Catherine Pymble's Ghost of Christmas Past and Scrooge's flying which is an impressive technical feat at any level in any theatre. Gurr, who created an excellent version of Sondheim's 'Into the Woods' recently, underlined that he is one of the best directors working in the area. He has the happy knack of making even the youngest cast member move naturally and expressively.
The abiding memory for this reviewer will be James Bell's interpretation of 'A Better Life'. It is an unforgiving song that has left professionals brutally exposed but Bell's considerable technical resources brought him through it impressively. The society should take pride in this production for brilliant individual performances and ensemble work of the highest quality.
