It’s a Holly Dolly Christmas this 12 months because the Queen of Country’s model of the traditional festive story involves London. Singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, novelist, theme park proprietor and world icon…there may be nothing that Dolly Parton can’t flip her hand to. Her newest enterprise is a musical model of the Charles Dickens traditional novella “A Christmas Carol” however as an alternative of London in Dickensian occasions the motion takes place within the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee in 1937. This is an space of the world that Dolly is all too aware of as she famously grew up within the Smoky Mountains alongside together with her dad and mom and 11 siblings in a small cabin.
“Smoky Mountain” was first carried out on the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston. With a lot anticipation, the present arrives in London in time for the festive interval. The present takes place within the Queen Elizabeth Hall of the Southbank Centre. To arrive on the theatre you go by the magic of the Southbank space at Christmas with fairy lights adorning the world and the London Eye looming above, placing you within the festive spirit immediately. The theatre is welcoming nevertheless it might need been good to have specialised decorations, merchandise or bar treats to match the theme. This appeared like a missed alternative. The set transports you to East Tennessee with mine towers pillaring both facet of the stage and the within of a mountain retailer taking centre stage. Before the present begins an audio message from Ms. Parton herself was performed introducing the present and telling us to show off the telephones that wouldn’t have been round in 1937. The love from the viewers for Dolly is tangible and there was a contented collective group noise when she stated that on the centre of the story was a “Story about love”
Director and choreographer Alison Pollard, (Also affiliate director to the West End musical “The Book of Mormon”) brings a feel-good allure to the manufacturing. There are some pleasant group numbers with some glorious “Cup – Ography”….this must be seen to be believed!
As the musical begins, we meet the acquainted characters from the much-loved yuletide story. “Cold Feet” star Robert Bathurst leads proceedings with a suitably grumpy portrayal of the notorious humbug Ebenezer Scrooge. Apart from a Southern twang the character nonetheless shows a powerful dislike of Christmas and anybody who celebrates it. Scrooge’s sturdy cynicism is counteracted by his nephew Fred, Danny Whitehead and worker Cratchit, George Maguire. Accompanied by an exquisite band of musicians on stage, Dolly’s lyrics lead us via the story reflecting the moods of the piece. Songs vary from feelgood numbers corresponding to “Party Time” to emotional ballads like “Appalachian Snowfall”, which was accompanied by an precise magical snowfall impact. The music “ Three Candles” introduced a specific poignancy to the piece as did the touching “Circle of Love” This is led by the heartbreaking character Tiny Tim who needs to be literature’s final illustration of positivity in darkish occasions.
The acquainted story is delivered to life with the visitation of the ghost of Scrooge’s former enterprise accomplice Jacob Marley. This is adopted by appearances of spirits that remind Scrooge of his previous, spotlight the current and warn him in regards to the future if he continues in his lifestyle. Even although the chances are a lot of the viewers has skilled this acquainted story earlier than the solid nonetheless manages to create anticipation as we comply with Ebenezer’s journey with the hope he can have a change of coronary heart.
Despite being set in a special period and on the opposite facet of the world, the message behind the story of “A Christmas Carol” stays simply as sturdy. It goes to show that point and site don’t matter with regards to tales of humanity. As at all times Dolly Parton brings her distinctive radiance to the piece as she sprinkles the present with the magic of her music and lyrics. Ultimately the present represents considered one of Dolly’s most well-known quotes, “If you want the rainbow you gotta put up with the rain” If you desire a festive deal with for all of the household this season then I like to recommend you scoop up some tickets for a slice of Christmas pleasure! The present runs till eighth January 2023.
Review by Myles Ryan
Rating: ★★★★★
Seat: BB, Seat 25 | Price of Ticket: £73.50