A Christmas Carol at Mast Mayflower Studios, Southampton was a festive delight

CHARLES Dicken’s festive classic A Christmas Carol is bought to life by an incredible cast of over 50 young stars, who are currently appearing In a Mayflower Made production at Southampton’s Mast Mayflower Studios.

Hailed as a classic from the past with the music of the present, and a cast for the future, the production is on stage at the Southampton venue for nine performances until Sunday 31st December.

A delight from start to finish, the scene is set with a lavish Dickenson backdrop featuring an array of opening doors and lavish balconies, which is set back to allow the huge cast maximum manoeuvrability around the stage.

Superb and cleverly designed props helped move the story along, with crates used to elevate the performers in dance routines. Particular mention to the wonderful ribbon Christmas Tree that transformed the set on Christmas Eve.

Set in a Dicken experience museum in the modern day, the story emerges after teenage Ben (Charlie Clifford) reveals that he sees rich Ebenezer Scrooge as a man to be admired, a role model, who was rich and successful.

However, his Tour Guide (Amelia Ocknell) takes him on a journey into the past, where he realises that wealth and success are less important than family and community. The clever production weaves the modern day and past together beautifully with the help of a 21st century playlist of ‘Ben’s Bangers’ featuring hits like I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday and Have it All.

Together Ben and the guide visit Fezziwig’s Christmas party and Bob Cratchit’s humble home, as Ben witnesses Scrooge transform from a young man with the world at his feet to a lonely old man with no friends.

As Ben and his guide watch from the side-lines as Scrooge (Alex Lockhart) get a ghostly visit from his former business partner Jacob Marley who shows him the Christmases of his past, present and future.

Traditional but with a 21st century spin, A Christmas Carol is triumph and a huge credit to the wonderful and hardworking team behind the scenes. Full cast numbers were expertly executed and brilliantly choreographed. If you’re looking for a festive treat – catch a Christmas Carol at Mast Mayflower before 31st December. Tickets are £12.50 to £22.50. To book visit https://www.mayflowerstudios.org.uk or contact the box office on 02380 711811.