"SCROOGE"

SSAOS 2000 production
(After playing 20 years in Sunderland - back in SOUTH SHIELDS)

I would imagine that almost everyone is familiar with the short story by Charles Dickens called "THE CHRISTMAS CAROL". You will remember how the old skinflint, Ebenezer Scrooge, is visited through the night by three Ghosts - that of Christmas Past, then Christms Present and finally Christmas yet to come.

In 1951 it had one of the most famous creators of "SCROOGE", Alastair Sim, appearing in the black and white film of that name.

Many of you will also have seen the 1970 film of "SCROOGE" which starred Albert Finney, Dame Edith Evans and Alex Guinness. It is regularly trundled out on television at Christmas time. But not many people will have had the opportunity of seeing the musical play.

In 1990 Leslie Bricusse decided that the story would make a great musical - and how right he was. He wrote the book, music and lyrics and it opened in the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, in 1992 to universal acclaim with Anthony Newley as the star of the show - it also featured Stratford Johns as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Jon Pertwee as Marley.  Bricusse couldn't get a West End theatre at the time and he toured the show throughout Britain, Europe, Japan, Australia and the U S of A.

1996 saw it open in London at the Dominion Theatre still with Anthony Newley, whom Bricusse idolised. Unfortunately in 1998 Anthony Newley died and Bricusse closed the show.

However in 1998 it was released and a number of Amateur Societies have since performed it making a box office success in the bargain.

Cast

Anthony Smith, Laurence Scott, David Richardson, Eddie McNamee, Judith Godfrey,  David Bruce, Owen Parker, Maurice Carr, Heather McLoughlin, Delia McNally, Ashley Lamb, Seonaid Clark, Toby Bridges, Kyle Finn, Melissa Malin, Shona Cameron, Julie Bell, Michael Davison, Malcolm Cooper, Mary Whincop, Deborah Doyle, Moira Milburn, Ethne Brown, Peter Skevington, Ernie Russell, Jenny Lynch, Craig Moffat, Lauren Emslie, Gary Gillespie, Karl Harris, Steven Rae, Stephanie Allen, Brett McIntyre.

Producer : Musical Director : Choreographer :
Fred Wharton Guy Creen Kathleen Knox
"The success of the show at SOUTH SHIELDS was recorded in the Shields Gazette by its editor, Rob Lawson, who wrote ........

It is [an] extremely difficult [show] to stage with a constant stream of changing sets, and the whole show rides on the back of the actor playing the title character.

However I am delighted to report that the society's first major show since returning to its roots is a triumph. The boxed sets worked a treat.... but the stage often looked too full with performers cramped for room.

Anthony Smith is brilliant as Scrooge. At times powerful, at times pitiful, at times moving, but always utterly convincing as the world's most famous miser. His voice filled the auditorium and at times his presence filled the stage.

He was ably supported by the excellent Laurence Scott as Jacob Marley, Toby Bridges as Bob Cratchet, and Judith Godfrey and Eddie McNamee as two of the visiting spirits.

Owen Parker, however  as Tiny Tim was the scene-stealer with the voice and looks of a cherub. His solo was one of the shows highlights.

The direction is sound, the costumes fantastic and the whole show was very well received by a very appreciative first night audience, who welcomed SSAOS home in fine style."

ROB LAWSON.
 

 


 Jacob Marley-
Laurence Scott
Scrooge-
Anthony Smith


Tiny Tim -
Owen Parker





Bob Cratchit- Toby Bridges

Mrs Cratchit-
 Seonaid Clark

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