Holden Caulfield, the young hero of The Catcher In The Rye, has a test for books. If, having finished one, he feels like ringing the author for a chat, the book is good. Leaving the Gate, the idea of engaging Charles Dickens in conversation is beguiling. Holden would have liked it.
John Mortimer's adaptation brings out all the warmth and seasonal cheer of the classic story. Maybe Christmas was never really like this, but it should have been: a time of spontaneous goodwill and redemption. Ebenezer Scrooge, the flint-hearted miser, rejects all human contact with a growl of "humbug", bullies his clerk Bob Cratchit and derides the poor. But his comeuppance is on the way.
The ghosts of christmas past, present and yet to come show him his youth, his descent to isolation and his future. His repentance must be the greatest conversion since Paul's on the road to Damascus.
There are so many impressive things in this production that one has to be selective. Robert O'Mahony's masterful portrayal of Scrooge has nothing of caricature in it. The three ghosts are played with authority by Stephen Brennan, and a wonderful chorus of Joe Savino, Barbara Brennan, Robert Price and Stella Feehily stroll through the action colourfully and cogently.
The Cratchit family - Michael James Ford as Bob and Noelle Brown as his wife - are at the warm heart of the play. Mark O'Halloran is Scrooge's nephew Fred; Mal Whyte and Philip Judge are two portly gents. Alan Stanford's direction, Bruno Schwengl's set and costumes and Rupert Murray's lighting frame it all wonderfully. If Christmas really has a spirit, this is it.
Ends January 19th; book at 01-8744045
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