Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad
Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad promised to be a “new” take on Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Sad to say it is not but rather a totally messed up travesty. I think it was supposed to be the Scrooge story from Cratchit’s point of view but we learn very little that is new except that Cratchit inherits Scrooge’s wealth.
Another aspect of this dreadful piece that is new is the music by Katrina Woods, daughter of British film actor Percy Herbert. Some of the music is all right but musically it is all over the map, hardly a cohesive whole. Here we have singing spirits as well as rag pickers. The spirits themselves are a total puzzle. The Ghost of Christmas past is from India, a place that has no relevance to the story. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is from our present complete with spiky hair and a rock sounding song. At the end Scrooge, Chas Mitchell, doesn’t really transform so much as stay the same with a grin.
The performances aren’t half bad. I liked Cratchit of British actor Foster Walker but he kept making his point by bending into us as he spoke, and usually went out of the light. Emily Bridges, Beau’s pretty daughter, sang nicely as Nell. Jennifer tried to make the most of the imposed character of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come and displayed some singing as well as dancing talent. Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tight Wad is playing at the Secret Rose Theatre until Dec. 31.