This year, me and my boyfriend Aaron were a little bored and fed up with all the samey seasonal pantomimes, so instead, we decided to travel to Bolton on Monday 22nd of December to it’s lovely Octagon Theatre in the town centre, to watch their adaptation of the Charles Dickens 1843 novella classic “A Christmas Carol” 🎄🎄 It was absolutely phenomenal 😊 We also attended Manchester Christmas market, which was truly magical 🌟🌟 I hope you enjoy this theatre/travel blog post! 💕

Mine and Aaron’s original seats were diagonal, one of us in front and slightly to the side, E28 and F26, however a seat became available so thankfully we were able to sit together. The show itself was absolutely superb 💕

There are countless retellings of “A Christmas Carol” in 20th century cinematic history and popular culture, many of which adopt the protagonist’s surname, Scrooge. You needn’t be particularly familiar with the story to have heard the phrase “bah-humbug”, or be knowledgeable of poor little Tiny Tim; “God bless us, every one!”. I have only recently in fact just watched “A Muppet’s Christmas Carol”, which I thought was fantastic 😀 Like many Christmas tales, “A Christmas Carol” exists to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas 🎄 Good will to all men, the importance of kind generosity, warmth, love and consideration of other less fortunate people’s plights.

I was so impressed by the Octagon Theatre’s retelling of “A Christmas Carol”. It perfectly encapsulated the dark gothic Victorian gloom alongside the contrasting dancing, cheer and comedic merriment; accommodating also a family friendly modern audience. Director Sarah Tipple says this is a ‘testament to its enduring appeal and the power of the ideas at its heart” (official programme).

The central character, Ebenezer Scrooge, played by the brilliant David Birrell, delivered a stunning performance; serious and moody, sharp and caustically witty

The Octagon Theatre is in fact a “theatre-in-the-round”, I believe the creative team, particularly the set and costume designer, Hannah Wolfe, used this to her full advantage. The props were playful in the sense that they were whizzed in and out in all directions; a continuing movement and replacement of scenery; like organised chaos. It was rather impressive, as too were the costume changes, much of the cast playing more than one role

The most horror ridden element of the production, in my opinion, was the apparition of Jacob Marley, depicted by understudy Mark Paterson. Matley appears to Scrooge warning him of an afterlife of chains and shackles should he not make effort to change his selfish ways “I wear the chains I forged in life” (Marley). It is explained Scrooge shall soon be visited by three spirits; the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the ominous, silent Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Children in the audience were visibly frightened by Marley, with his terrifying skeletal mask and spooky stage wanderings.

An interesting retelling, the Ghost of Christmas Past in this adaptation is also Scrooge’s deceased younger beloved sister Fran, usually the spirit is portrayed by an androgynous candle light flickering figure, or a sometimes a woman. The Ghost of Christmas Past’s costume was absolutely divine; glitter and gorgeous sparkle ✨️ from head to toe, worn beautifully by actress Hannah Brown. We see through past memories how close Fran and Scrooge were growing up, how devastated he was when she died and how disappointed the now spirit Fran is of how Scrooge’s once kind compassionate nature has altered completely to a cruel and nasty disposition; a stern, bitter, no feeling, miserable old bachelor: “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”

Scrooge was actually of course betrothed to the beautiful Belle. Ironically, his ambition to  “make something of himself “, and to climb the ladder of success in his chosen profession,  seeking financial stability to guarantee a stable future for them both, in the midst of it all, he sadly loses Belle’s affections, and so loses the love of his life. Belle terminates the engagement, a memory which still mentally haunts Scrooge. It is almost too painful to see how besotted with Belle Scrooge is at Mr Fezziwig’s (Scrooge’s former employer) annual Christmas party, and how blissful his life could have been with her. Belle is played by Lucy Keirl, who also takes on the role of Christmas Present. In other cinematic versions of “A Christmas Carol”, I recall the Ghost of Christmas Present predominantly to be a big benevolent jolly Santa Claus kind of figure. Not in the Bolton Octagon Theatre production!  Keirl is a right little punk lass! With red tartan pants, a scooter and a confident spunky attitude to match… also, amusingly, she has an obsession for food or specifically Christmas pudding 😆

In the present, Scrooge is shown Christmas day at the Cratchit’s. (Cratchit is Scrooge’s long suffering and faithful employee – played by Mark Peterson, understudy). Only a small bird is roasting, but nevertheless the Cratchit’s are a family full of “joy and solace in each other” (Sarah Tipple, Director). It is evident however that Tiny Tim is not well in health 😢 Scrooge is also, in the present, given a window into the world of his nephew Fred (Conor Neaves), who in this version so desperately wishes to have a better relationship with his uncle, and longs to celebrate the holiday season with him, as a proper family. Neaves has an outstanding powerful singing voice and oozed charisma throughout

It was a child in a hooded sweater who portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.  He personifies death, yet was nowhere near as petrifying as the Jacob Marley apparition, though I fear a deep black garment shrouded grim reeper archetype might have been a step too far for a family audience. Fortunately for Scrooge, the future revelation of his name on a gravestone, local folk not mourning but actually celebratory of his death is only a shadow of what COULD be. Upon awakening, Scrooge is redeemed, delirious and delighted “as merry as a school boy… as light as a feather… as happy as an angel…as giddy as a drunken man”, with a new found determination to be a better employer and friend to all in his community. An epic story which promotes empathy, charity and social responsibility; teaching close human relationships triumph always material wealth.

The choreographer and movement director Gemma Payne did an amazing job of bringing completely uplifting dance compositions, astounding lyrics and songs from composer Susannah Pearse, also arranger and orchestrator Rebecca Applin offered great musical vibrancy. Not at all forgetting the genius writing of Kate Ferguson; a spoken word performer and renowned dramaturg and playwright…

… I absolutely adored it! 😁😁

Unfortunately our train from Bolton to Manchester Piccadilly was cancelled so we hopped in an uber to our Britannia Saches Hotel, near Piccadilly Gardens. A quick change and we were out 💕💕

I was at first hugely disappointed as it seemed the Christmas market in Piccadilly Gardens was  coming to a close and we feared we had missed out on the experience. We were however directed to the Albert Square market which was extended into the new year. It was magnificent 😄😄 There were cute quirky Christmas stalls and crafts, handmade gifts, ornaments, traditional wooden chalets, mulled wine, ale, Dutch pancakes, bratwurst german sausages (I didn’t eat im a veggie/vegan lol), a merry-go-round, a festive ferris wheel, unbelievable light decorations, all you would hope for 🥰🥰 I bought a unique quirky wooden personalised Rudolph reindeer and a wooden snowman gift for my mum’s grave 💕

Afterwards, we had our tea at a local Nandos and had a few alcoholic drinks in the Northern Quarter 😜😜 Excellent live music 🎶 from a duo in The Freemount, and an acoustic guitar 🎸 playing songstress in Mothers of Invention.  We also had one in an Irish bar but it was pretty pricey! The next morning we had  beaut vegan breakfasts at Moose Coffee; two vegan sausage patties, caramelised onion, smoked vegan Applewood cheese, fresh tomato, in a brioche bun, with homemade potato hash on the side, and two soya lattes Delicious 😋 .. It was a quick photograph with the impressive “Stranger Things” themed tree in Manchester Piccadilly station and a direct train back home to Doncaster 😄

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my latest theatre and travel blog post, your support means so much! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas 🎄🎄 Mine was wonderful and the first Aaron spent with me and my family 🥰🥰 Look out for new blog posts in the coming year, art/craft and theatre/travel related! Have an amazing new year! Love, Lauren xx

(All information obtained from official programme and direct quotes)

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