On an icy Tuesday in London when the weekend’s snow has barely melted, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol has opened at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre.

With hundreds of versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol available for viewing via streaming or live (in central London there are at least three productions currently running) this Christmas, should Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol be at the top of your list this year? Dickens’ classic story is known and loved across generations and Dolly’s version is an enjoyable tribute but perhaps unnecessary to add to the pile of adaptations. 

As the revamped title and namesake suggest, this production transports the tale in Dolly’s way to the smoky mountains of east Tennessee, USA in the 1930s. The story remains the one we know and love with all of the elements one might expect but is set to a background of toe-tapping country twang music and newly created Southern supporting characters. For this reason, it may not resonate with UK audiences in the way it might overseas. However, at its core is a piece filled with themes that are all too familiar here. Ebenezer Scrooge is the wealthy bitter old man who controls the businesses within his town. He strives to ensure none of its residents have more than they could need. No matter what they do the system is built against them and he insists they should just work harder to improve their lives, like him. “A child in poverty is a problem for us all,” paraphrasing the Ghost of Christmas Present, is a chilling correlation to the 30% of children in the UK currently living in poverty*. 

In one night, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who serve to show him how his actions affect those around him and his own miserable future. This ultimately is a feel-good show and *spoiler alert* Scrooge is awakened to the harm his behaviour is causing and is transformed into a generous and supportive family man dedicating the rest of his life to making right his wrongdoings. If only it were that easy. The problem is Robert Bathurst’s Scrooge makes it appear too easy. When he wakes on Christmas morning, he appears like a madman who has taken a funny turn and suddenly becomes his own opposite. There is little audience satisfaction seeing such a sudden conflicting transition in his character. This lack of journey reduces this story to a twee fantasyland rather than the statement on compassion and kindness we desire. 

That being said, there are many touching moments and there is plenty of joy to be taken from this production. Dolly Parton’s music and lyrics fit the festive country feeling. The music may not significantly add to the story but it plays a complimentary role in developing this particular version’s atmosphere, largely by violinist Corey Wickens who plays excellently, regularly fitting in seamlessly with the acting cast. The many ensemble roles allow this cast to showcase their singing talent, with particular highlights including Sarah O’Connor’s vocals as Fanny and others, and Vicki Lee Taylor’s leading performance in the song, ‘Appalachian Snowfall’. Scott Davis’ set is modest but succeeds in creating a warm and cosy winter setting that almost feels intimate within the vastness of Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is a surface-level take on Dickens’ 1843 novel which will, at times, resonate close to home with today’s audiences, performed by a well meaning ensemble cast. 

A whimsical and warm production, which just lacks a little depth.

* stat: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/what-we-do/child-poverty/uk-child-poverty 

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Cat Hancock

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol plays at the Southbank Centre until 8 January 2023, with tickets available here.