Scrooge the Musical
Book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
“A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas,” commonly known as “A Christmas Carol,” is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London on 19 December 1843, the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve; by the end of 1844 thirteen editions had been released. In 1849 he began public readings of the story,
which proved so successful he undertook 127 further performances until 1870, the year of his death. “A Christmas Carol” has never been out of print and has been translated into several languages; the story has been adapted many times for film, stage, opera and other media. “Scrooge: The Musical” is a 1992 stage musical with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Its score and book are closely adapted from the music and screenplay of the 1970 musical film “Scrooge” starring Albert Finney and Charles Dickens' 1843 novella. Bricusse was nominated for an Academy Award for the song score he wrote for the film, and most of those songs were carried over to the musical. |
The original production starred Anthony Newley as Scrooge and opened on 9 November 1992 at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. The cast also included Stratford Johns, Tom Watt and Jon Pertwee. The production played the following year with the same cast at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth from 30 November to 11 December 1993. The production later transferred to the West End.
Bill Kenwright produced a revival of the original production which toured the UK and Ireland for the Christmas seasons between 2003 and 2013 starring Tommy Steele in the title role (with the exceptions of Shane Richie in the 2005 and 2007 tours and Michael Barrymore in the 2006 tour. The show was on hiatus for the 2008 Christmas season). The production transferred into the West End starring Steele for the 2005 (while Richie toured an identical production) and 2012 Christmas seasons at the London Palladium, making Steele the record-holder for the most performances headlined at the Palladium.
Bill Kenwright produced a revival of the original production which toured the UK and Ireland for the Christmas seasons between 2003 and 2013 starring Tommy Steele in the title role (with the exceptions of Shane Richie in the 2005 and 2007 tours and Michael Barrymore in the 2006 tour. The show was on hiatus for the 2008 Christmas season). The production transferred into the West End starring Steele for the 2005 (while Richie toured an identical production) and 2012 Christmas seasons at the London Palladium, making Steele the record-holder for the most performances headlined at the Palladium.
Production Staff
Director: Nicholas Nicol
Co-Director/Choeographer: Cynthia Nicol Musical Director: Mairi MacKenzie Stage Manager: Allen Perrin Set Design/Sound/Lighting: Allen Perrin Lighting Design: Ross McKillop Props: Lisa Senior; Kit Duncan-Hamilton Wardrobe: The Club Set Builing: Allen Perrin; Andy Nealls; Tom Masterton; Steven Kelly; John Gordon; Alan Holling; Paul Donnachie Set Painting: Catherine McIntosh; Carla Kelly Stage Crew: Mitch Mitchell; Andy Nealls; Emma Marr; John Marr Poster Design: Victoria Nicol Publicity/Social Media: Caroline Nicol Programme: Trevor Nicol |
Cast
Ebenezer Scrooge: Nicholas Nicol
Ghost of Christmas Past: Aileen Hendry Ghost of Christmas Present: Steve Kelly Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come: Ben Senior Harry/Young Ebenezer: TJ Cameron Jacob Marley: Trevor Nicol Isabel/Helen: Luna Rose Tom Jenkins: Tom Masterton Bob Cratchit: Scott Crichton Mrs Cratchit: Fiona McDonald Kathy Cratchit: Lucy Hayes Belinda Cratchit/Jen: Maisie Martin Martha Cratchit/Urchin: Scarlett Chisholm Polly Cratchit/Urchin: Rosa Tyrer; Iona Montgomery; Polly Newell Tiny Tim: Jamie Chisolm; James Simpson Pringle/Mr Fezziwig: Brian Howlett Mrs Dilber/Mrs Fezziwig: Jenni Lomax Miss Dilber: Ellen Deplacido Jocelyn Jollygoode/Mary: Morag Barron Hugo Hearty/Topper/Dick Wilkins: Lawrence Robins-Bird Mr Carstairs/Miller: Clive Soley Wine Merchant/Teacher: Neil Pirritt Bisset: Ben Senior Beggar Woman: Fiona Chapman Ebby/Boy: Adam Bodie |
Acknowledgements
Inverness Musical Theatre; Ross Henderson-McKillop; Matthias Kremer Photography
Inverness Musical Theatre; Ross Henderson-McKillop; Matthias Kremer Photography
Scrooge the Musical in the News
Scrooge the Musical Audience Feedback
"Went along last night to see this...it was amazing! Tiny Tim was just so precious, when he sang and his 'mum' held onto his hand...sang along with him it was just beautiful. Please let that wee boy know just how brave he was."
"A huge thank you to everyone on and offstage in Scrooge the Musical. We left with super smiley faces and lots of love in our hearts! If you can get your hands on any returns then do. And a massive congratulations to Nicky Nicol …. who not only directed but also played Scrooge so beautifully. I also got a lovely pic with me and the ghost of Christmas present … but no spoilers."
"Brilliant musical. The singing and performance of everyone of you was outstanding. What an amazing show. Well done to everyone behind the scenes too."
"Was fantastic show and so funny too. Awwww, Steven Kelly, no more sitting having a snack on turkey bone."
"Excellent production, enjoyed it so much on sat, went back last night! Thank you Florian’s! And a Very Merry Christmas to you All!"
"Well done to all the cast & crew for a fantastic production! Thoroughly enjoyed it last night & great to see so many faces old & new on stage. Enjoy the rest of the run."
"Was in last night. What an all round fab nights entertainment. Laughter and a few wee tears. Congratulations to one and all."
"A super show tonight (Tuesday) - well done everyone. But a special mention to Nicholas Nicol as director and on a tour de force performance as Scrooge."
"The Florians do it again. For people who know me I’ve never been someone who is always keen on Christmas shows, but each time I've been to see the Florians do any Christmas show I'm always fully entertained. Tonight for me this was the best yet, the joy of everyone (including Mr Scrooge ) on stage set for a wonderful night of Christmas entertainment. I'm truly blessed to call a lot of the talent on stage my friends & family. A big shout out to Mr Christmas himself Steven Kelly, you were perfect brother, what a memory!. Thankyou to all involved - set design, backstage, and onstage for a great night. Merry Christmas to you all."
"A huge thank you to everyone on and offstage in Scrooge the Musical. We left with super smiley faces and lots of love in our hearts! If you can get your hands on any returns then do. And a massive congratulations to Nicky Nicol …. who not only directed but also played Scrooge so beautifully. I also got a lovely pic with me and the ghost of Christmas present … but no spoilers."
"Brilliant musical. The singing and performance of everyone of you was outstanding. What an amazing show. Well done to everyone behind the scenes too."
"Was fantastic show and so funny too. Awwww, Steven Kelly, no more sitting having a snack on turkey bone."
"Excellent production, enjoyed it so much on sat, went back last night! Thank you Florian’s! And a Very Merry Christmas to you All!"
"Well done to all the cast & crew for a fantastic production! Thoroughly enjoyed it last night & great to see so many faces old & new on stage. Enjoy the rest of the run."
"Was in last night. What an all round fab nights entertainment. Laughter and a few wee tears. Congratulations to one and all."
"A super show tonight (Tuesday) - well done everyone. But a special mention to Nicholas Nicol as director and on a tour de force performance as Scrooge."
"The Florians do it again. For people who know me I’ve never been someone who is always keen on Christmas shows, but each time I've been to see the Florians do any Christmas show I'm always fully entertained. Tonight for me this was the best yet, the joy of everyone (including Mr Scrooge ) on stage set for a wonderful night of Christmas entertainment. I'm truly blessed to call a lot of the talent on stage my friends & family. A big shout out to Mr Christmas himself Steven Kelly, you were perfect brother, what a memory!. Thankyou to all involved - set design, backstage, and onstage for a great night. Merry Christmas to you all."
Scrooge the Musical Gallery
Photographs by Ross McKillop