• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chandler's Ford Today

  • Home
  • About
    • About Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research
  • Blog
    • Blogging Tips
  • Event
    • Upcoming Events
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • GP Surgeries
    • Leisure
    • Library
    • Charities
      • Eastleigh Basics Bank
      • Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler’s Ford
    • Fair Trade
      • Traidcraft stalls in Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford Parish Council
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Site Policies
  • Site Archive
    • Site Archive 2018
    • Site Archive 2017
    • Site Archive 2016
    • Site Archive 2015
You are here: Home / Arts / Review by Ben Williams: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

Review by Ben Williams: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

November 30, 2018 By Ben Williams Leave a Comment

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of the most iconic stories of all time. Centered on the miserable and rude Ebenezer Scrooge, the book – oh who am I kidding, everyone knows the story. There have been countless adaptations of the story and everything from The Muppets to Blackadder to Doctor Who have tackled it.

A Christmas Carol - adapted by James Reynard, performed by Chandler's Ford MDG Players.
A Christmas Carol – adapted by James Reynard, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players.

The MDG Players’ take on the classic tale is a fairly accurate take on the story with added audience interaction and a refreshing take on many elements of the story, making for a fun and original version.

The audience has a role to play in this creative production.
The audience has a role to play in this creative production.

One very fun aspect of the play was the elements which incorporated the audience. Each section of the audience was given a certain role to play, whether it was cheer or ring bells or imitate wind.

Ghostly noises

My section got given ghostly noises, and in my typical manner I chose to say “Ghostly noises” instead of actually do ghostly noises because I’m, well, me.

This element of the play was very fun and made it something unique rather than just a standard adaptation. Other unique elements included various Christmas carols and hymns being sung (again, not by me. I don’t really like singing) and this once again made the whole experience very entertaining.

Carol singers: Richard Duijnstee drawing
Christmas carols

Great interaction with the audience

Everyone knows the story of A Christmas Carol so every adaptation has to change it in some way to make it fresh and interesting and one of the advantages of a stage version is that the audience can actively take part.

The characters on stage often interacted with the audience, such as when an audience member was called onto fill in for someone who “forgot” to get on stage. I really like it when the fourth wall is broken in a theatrical setting.

Bob Cratchit (Mike Slatcher), Mrs Cratchit (Christine Slatcher), and Tiny Tim (James Greenham).
Bob Cratchit (Mike Slatcher), Mrs Cratchit (Christine Slatcher), and Tiny Tim (James Greenham). Image: Ali Baseley.

“God bless us everyone”

The story of A Christmas Carol is very strong. The various adaptations all tell the story differently and this version follows it fairly faithfully and I really like how a lot of the dialogue is a lift from the novel, including the famous lines such as:

  • “God bless us everyone”
  • “To decrease the surplus population” , and
  • “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”

The appearances of the ghosts made the play darker

Brilliant performance of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Image by Ali Baseley.
Brilliant performance of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Image by Ali Baseley.

The depictions of the ghosts were great. The Ghost of Christmas Future is always my favourite part of any version of A Christmas Carol and this version went for the dark, imposing figure that stands and points.

Sometimes less is more. The appearances of the ghosts made the play darker and more complex which I really appreciated. To combat the lack of scenery and limited stage a projector was used to take Scrooge across his past and it worked very well, making the story feel more intimate and personal to the audience.

Great performance - the cast of A Christmas Carol, by Chandler's Ford MDG Players.
Great performance – the cast of A Christmas Carol, by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players.

Lester Parry as Scrooge – snide and cruel

All the characters were endearing and well rounded, with Scrooge, played by Lester Parry, being suitably snide and cruel before he changes his ways.

In conclusion, this was an engaging take on a classic tale. The interactive aspects of the play made it a very interesting adaptation. I found the whole experience to be a hugely original and entertaining evening which I enjoyed immensely.

Review by Hazel Bateman: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

A Christmas Carol – The MDG Players – Review by Allison Symes

 

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email

Related posts:

Review by Hazel Bateman: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players FEATURE IMAGE - A Christmas Carol - The MDG Players - Review by Allison SymesA Christmas Carol – The MDG Players – Review by Allison Symes Feature Image - MDG Players Review - Shakespeare. Many thanks to the MDG Players for the programme.MDG Players and Romsey Players – Five Go Mad for Shakespeare – Review MDG Players next production is *‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’* by Eddie Robson on Thursday 28^th – Saturday 30^th November in the Dovetail Centre Café at 7.30pm.Review: Chandler’s Ford MDG Players: ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’ Review: Five Go Mad for Shakespeare by Chandler’s Ford MDG and Romsey Players
Tags: A Christmas Carol, acting, arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, fiction, humour, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road

About Ben Williams

Ben is studying film and English at University of Southampton. He writes cool stuff - science fiction, Doctor Who, film reviews, and history.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Chandler's Ford Today blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

999, 111, 101, 112? Emergency Numbers You Must Know
101 Things to Put into Room 101
Home
Hook Road Hutments and My Family by Peter Russell - Part 1
My Favourite Short Walk - Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook
Hidden Hampshire - Woodland Walks: Jermyns Lane
A walk in a park
101 Things to Put into Room 101 - Part 7 - The Final Leg
Meet The Chinese Cop Andy Lai
Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler's Ford

Categories

Tags

arts and crafts books Chandler's Ford Chandler's Ford Today Chandler’s Ford community charity Christianity Christmas church community creative writing culture Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council education entertainment event family fundraising gardening good neighbours Hiltingbury Hiltingbury Road history hobby how-to interview Joan Adamson Joan Adelaide Goater local businesses local interest memory Methodist Church music nature news reading religion review social storytelling theatre travel Winchester Road writing

Recent Comments

  • Allison Symes on Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 1
  • David Lamb on Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 1
  • Allison Symes on Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 1
  • Jim Bates on Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 1
  • Allison Symes on Story Types
  • Jim Bates on Story Types

Regular Writers and Contributors

Janet Williams Allison Symes Mike Sedgwick Rick Goater Doug Clews chippy minton Martin Napier Roger White Andy Vining Gopi Chandroth Nicola Slade Wellie Roger Clark Ray Fishman Hazel Bateman SO53 News

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

Reviews of local performances and places

Reviews of local performances and places

Copyright © 2021 Chandler's Ford Today. WordPress. Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.