Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Barons Court Theatre
For only three more nights, comedian, author, musician and actor Mitch Benn brings us an adaptation unlike what we have seen before. In fact, you could say that it is not an adaptation at all.
Leaving behind the gimmicks and spectacles that have previously attached themselves to this title and really focusing in on the original text, here, A Christmas Carol is not an opportunity to showcase a creative eye and dream up fantastical cinematic portrayals, as much as we all love the projects that have emerged from those endeavours. Here, A Christmas Carol is simply a story and Benn reminds us of the joy of being told a story.
In many ways, the entire show rests on its star in a way that could easily overbear an actor, but Mitch Benn wears it with style and grace. He brings an effortless humour, of course, and it can be argued that the peak of his performance is in his expert asides to the audience. Speaking directly to them, he connects with his audience beautifully as delightful pockets of laughter can be heard from the crowd; joyful, charmed, chuckled, squeaked, burst in powerful unison. He is perfectly believable and entrancing, in character, voice and physicality, as all of the characters in the tale, but it also allows hints of modern scenes, outside impressions and a great deal of himself into the reading, to great comical and heart-warming effect.
The multitude of what he is able to achieve is outstanding. His humour as a comedian, his prowess at voice acting, his command of emotions as an actor and his respect for storytelling as an author, all make him the perfect person to engage and guide us through this production. Made possible by the stripped back structure of the play, we see storytelling used to its best capabilities. The simplest methods of creating atmosphere come to fruition with stratospheric results, from a live, acoustic approach to sound effects, to impressive pace and use of emphasis and a beautiful blend of character and narrator in his performance.
A dark, intimate simple room of brick and arches gives a certain ambience to the experience, gently sending you back in time to the feeling of one of Dickens’ traditional live readings. As the lights go black, it is almost as if we are told to ‘forget everything you know, we are starting anew’ and without thinking, we listen as he builds this classic world around us. Then begins a flowing, twirling sea of expression and as the production progresses the atmospheric impact of the lighting makes strides, transforming the room instantly and completely, time and time again.
Moments of darkness give command to his voice and drama to the words it speaks, simple colours convey presence of warmth and villainy and the feeling of a dream within a dream, drama, silence and darkness is emphasised beautifully by lighting and effects, and it is all done with such ease and comfort and unquestioned understanding. We can be simultaneously watching him live and with him learning, a simple prop can be a figure of a nightmare then a tether to reality from second to second. He has us in the palm of his hand. You’ll be sorry to look away for even a second, from beginning to end.
Benn seems to hold the story within him and across these two short acts, it pours out of him and spreads across his face, takes control of his body and fills the stage. His voice and facial expressions take on the emotions of these well-known characters with awesome ease and fantastically fluid transitions. His fascinating ability to easily slip into character shows he is a natural performer through and through.
Booking your tickets for the remaining staging’s of A Christmas Carol at the Barons Court Theatre this Christmas is a true experience of Christmas Spirit. Christmas is a time for storytelling, traditions and above all giving. This production has embraced all of that, all the way up to donating the proceeds to St Mungo’s, a charity focused on ending homelessness and rebuilding lives.
In this powerful, warm, emotional depiction, lack of perfection, for one was incredibly slight, but also ceases to dampen what is achieved. The one word that comes up most when thinking of this show is, human. A truthful, natural, real moment of storytelling, understanding, connection and life. We are taken through happiness, confusion, fear, filled with joy, sympathy, sadness and what is that if not a completely true experience of humanity.
Absolutely draws you in.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Louisa Clarke
A Christmas Carol plays at London’s Barons Court Theatre until 23 December, with further information here.