A CHRISTMAS CAROL, CORN EXCHANGE, HADDINGTON
★★★
This is panto, Jack, though not as we know it
There’s a lot to be said for enthusiasm and Wonder Fools’ panto reworking of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, certainly wears its heart on its sleeve as it weaves together an eclectic selection box of ideas, influences and traditions… that don’t always hit their mark.
With the impending demolition of its permanent home, The Brunton panto finds itself enjoying a nomadic existence this year, opening in Haddington’s Corn Exchange before transferring to the Loretto Theatre in Musselburgh, and Jenny Booth’s deconstructed set design reflects that. Basic and functional, it’s there to serve a purpose, nothing more, nothing less, and so is less than magical.
It’s disappointing really as ‘pantoland’ should be a magical world with the eternal battle of good versus evil at its heart. On this occasion, the source material doesn’t easily lend itself to the art form, despite brief nods to familiar pantomime favourites such as a ghost routine, class room scene and song sheet being shoe-horned in.
Set on the majestic streets of Haddington, from where Karen Scrooge operates her money lending service, Scrooge’s Speedy Cash, Dickens’ tale is given a particularly East Lothian spin. Having inherited the family business on the death of her step-brother, Marley, Scrooge’s Bah Humbug approach to the festive season is notorious. Her office manager, Babs Cratchit, single parent and mother of Tiny Tim, would love Christmas Day off with the kids, but her cold-hearted employer is having none of it… until Marley visits from beyond the grave. He brings a warning – three ghosts will follow and attempt to persuade Scrooge of the error of her ways and make her a better person. But will she listen?
Billing it as a ‘panto party’ is perhaps optimistic. In Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse’s wordy script, plot and sentimentality too often over-power the fun elements that, with the exception of chorus numbers, feel laboured. Thankfully, this production has one of Scotland’s finest panto dames on great form and there is no doubt that Graham Crammond is the star attraction. Crammond is a glorious panto dame and his Karen Scrooge a triumph of physical comedy and delivery. Barely off stage, he brings the piece alive when in full flow.
The Brunton favourite conducts the audience participation with a well-practised flair, whether chatting up Jack, his unsuspecting beau for the night, or engaging with the kids who, despite Scrooge’s unlikeable nature, absolutely adore him. Waspish, witty and on occasion wickedly naughty, he has an ad-lib for any eventuality.
That said, one of the funniest lines of the night and the best recurring gag in the show are delivered by members of a chorus made up of local school children – watch out for the diminutive moustachioed, and at this performance pony-tailed, Greg, and for the wee cleaner who springs into action whenever Scrooge expectorates at the mention of their nemesis, rival money lender McGuffin of McGuffin’s Money Menagerie.
Crammond also receives good support from Rebekah Lumsden, a hard-working Babs Cratchit who proves engaging and boasts the strongest vocals in the show, while Michael Dylan, flitting between roles, is great value for money and deserves more comic moments to showcase how funny he can be. Chloe-Ann Tylor too is impressive. Her evil McGuffin is a fine panto baddie that could be even bigger and nastier. All bring a nice element of truth to what they do.
What party vibes there are are down to a selection of pop classics. Opening with a blast of Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5, other songs used to good effect include The Time Warp, which introduces the ghost of Christmas Past, a time travelling shade that brings Scrooge back to her childhood and teenage years, with a blast on New Order’s Blue Monday. It’s during these numbers, with the chorus in full swing that the show rallies. Other original songs by multi-instrumental duo VanIves are well crafted but fail to engage younger members of the audience.
Of course, by the final number, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Scrooge has received her redemption and McGuffin had his comeuppance, while everyone else is set to live happily ever… but a hankering remains, that this Brunton pantomime spin on Dickens might better have been developed as a Christmas show.
Runs at Corn Exchange, Haddington, until 14 December. Tickets here.
Runs at Loretto Theatre, Musselburgh, 18 December-4 January 2025. Tickets here.
