Because the story is called a ‘Carol’, Dickens preferred to think of the five chapters as being musical ‘Staves’. The first run of the book, bound in Moroccan leather, was sold for $45 a copy (today’s prices). The 6,000 copies sold in a few weeks, however, even after the seventh edition Dickens made very little money from the book, being ripped off on the way, as had happened to him with ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’.

This wonderful adaption is by RADA-trained, Karen-Louise Hebden, who is known for giving new playwrights a chance. Many productions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ can be heavy-going and message-pushing; this show is filled with mirth, comical asides, and even several genuine ad-libs are thrown in, giving real warmth to the presentation.

The show’s admirable producer is ARENAarts, an independent, not-for-profit arts organisation supporting Community Theatre productions.

This two-hour show can be seen at The Latvian Centre (LC Theatre), 60 Cleaver Terrace, Belmont – plenty of free parking – with curtain up at 8.00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until 28^th November. There are Sunday matinees at 2.00 pm on the 15^th and 22^nd.

The set is quite simple, but the furnishings and the fun props are many and varied (construction by Jim Chantry). There are numerous scene changes, but these are carried out silently by the stage crew (Margaret Styles, Natalie Pierotti  and Callum Vinsen) whilst the choir sing a selection of verses from Christmas carols – a great idea that worked extremely well. The lighting rig is very limited, but Simon James created magic in some scenes.

Janet Vinsen’s costumes were of a very high standard and exactly correct for the era.

       Clutching a large tome, our hostess (Kate Phillips) welcomes us to the theatre before she took a seat in front of the stage. Behind her were three immaculately dressed ladies, they form a melodious madrigal trio (Trish Theisinger, May-Anne Oliver and Jill Richardson). As they sing their first Christmas carol, the golden proscenium curtains slide smoothly open.

      We are in the drab office of the miserable skinflint, Ebenezer Scrooge (Willy Smeets). Three storytellers light-heartedly set the scene, explaining what a disliked person Scrooge is. An undertaker wheels in a black coffin, and slowly an ashen face pops up, explaining that he is the ghost of Jacob Marley (Peter Nettleton), Scrooge’s late partner.

      In a dark corner of the office, despite it being Christmas Eve, a clerk is still working away. This is Bob Cratchit (Les Lee), struggling to feed his wife (Trish Theisinger) and children. When a local businessman (Jim Chantry) calls asking for a charity donation for the poor, Scrooge’s answer is simply ‘Bah Humbug’.

      In the dream, Scrooge then notices that Mr and Mrs Thompkins (AJ Cheka, Sarah Christiner) are behind with their rent and orders that they be evicted. Later that night, in another dream, Scrooges is shown himself as a child (James Matthew) playing with his friend Fanny (Rachel Philips), and then as a happy young teenager (Callum Vinsen) with his first and only girlfriend, Belle (Simonne Matthews).

Scrooge observes poor Bob and his loving daughter, Belinda (Natasha Robertson), tending for his ‘crippled’ child, Tiny Tim (Ten-year-old Rohan Pierotti).

Will Scrooge wake up in the morning and see the world in a new light?

Most of Dickens’s books are quite heavy going, so this cheerful adaptation that remained true to the novella’s messages, still allowed us to have a surprisingly welcome, fun night out. Musically trained director Trish, who recently won an award as best director, has gathered a great team to give us this exposé of a seedy side of human life.

The cast seemed to really enjoy acting their parts, I suspect even Willy in portraying miserable Scrooge brought him a great deal of pleasure. There is a strong chemistry between the actors, who have worked well as a team and gave a slick performance.

On a minor detail, I do not normally get excited at the way proscenium curtains are opened, but this operator was the best I have seen in years, just the correct pace and in one smooth, continuous flow.

I can see the smile on publicity expert, Chris Thomas at having such a delightful, fun-filled family show to promote. Nothing frightening, just a great tale, well told, suitable for everyone from 8 to 80. Enjoy.

This 140-minute spectacle can be seen at the Old Mill Theatre, Corner Mends Street and Mill Point Road, South Perth, with performances each night at 7.30 (not as some adverts say ‘8.00’) until Saturday 13^th December  7.30 pm.

        When a typhoon passes through Kansas, Aunt Em’s house is hurtled through the air and lands on an evil witch, killing her. Her sister, Olga (Craig Menner), the ugly, wicked Witch of the East decides to take revenge on Aunt Em (Trish Theisinger), young Dorothy (Arianne Westcott-King), and their scruffy dog, Toto (Harrison Wake). However, Olga notices that Dorothy has bright ruby-red slippers with magical properties and is determined to have them.

        Dorothy was getting very worried about Olga’s threat, when Glinda (Nicole Miller) the good Fairy of the West arrives with her hapless friend, Letitia (Trevor Dhu). Glinda explains that Dorothy should travel to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz and seek his help – just follow the yellow brick road. So, guided by the gatekeeper (Rex Gray), Dorothy set off in search of the Wizard with a group of delightful, little people – the Munchkins.

        On her way, Dorothy met a scarecrow (Tim Prosser) leaning on a fence, he had a beautiful singing voice, but no brain. Next, she met a very timid lion (Neil Cartmell), who desperately needed some courage, and finally she met a Tinman (Sarah Christiner), who would love to have a heart. Farther down the road, Dorothy was surprised to meet a famous pop singer, a King from the 70s (a totally unrecognisable Ted Bull). Olga’s mischievous helpers, the wild monkeys, attack the party. Even if the group survives this, there is still the Wizard’s obstinate Chamberlain (Matthew Styles) to get past.

The children, aged from 5 to 14, played the loveable, happy Munchkins and the diabolical, trouble-making Monkeys. The children were magnificent, the Munchkins smiled constantly as they performed, danced in perfect sync and sang with gusto. Their costumes (as for all the others, were designed by Jenny Prosser, Susan Sator, Maree Grayden) were delightful. The Monkeys, with their threatening baboon like faces, glowered and snarled as they leapt around doing cartwheel. Their makeup (designed by Nicolle Miller, and Lisa Piggott) was most impressive, and considering the number of youngsters involved a huge amount of work. Jenny Prosser made most of the costumes. The Tinman’s costume really rattled and clanged as he walked – poor Sarah must have suffered inside, but it was worth it.

Once again, the sets needed that extra sparkle and with Maree Grayden, Ben Davis and Phil Barnett’s input Tim Prosser has done another sterling job with artworks for his set painting.

The Old Mill has some several LED lights that gives a new dimension to the scenery and the atmosphere. Ben and Flynn Vincent operated Ben Davis’ complex lighting design. Flynn is new to the bio box, so on the preview there were a couple of slow light changes, but considering the complexity of the show, I was most impressed and am sure he will be ‘spot’ on for the opening. Bree Vreedenburgh’s sound design required one or two unusual snippets, but this went well with crisp control by Jeremy Skinner.

As musical director, Bree Vreedenburgh had a huge amount of singing and dancing to cope with but the whole team worked very well.

The Munchkins were:- Sienna Birkett, Abbey Breust, Charlotte Broadbent, Caiden Cartmell, Kian Cartmell, Indigo Ellis, Anna Grayden, Hannah Harrison, Tahlia Menner, Grace Pooley, Atira Shack, Brooke Skinner, Naomi Skinner, Adele Stewart.

The evil Monkeys were:- Alexander Broadbent, Hannah Claux, Ryan Drummond, Megan Grayden, Madeline Hooker, Matthew Hutchinson, Kasey Pavlovich, Digby Petit, William Sartor, Aaron Skinner, Georgia Weston-Arnold.

Director Maree Grayden and her assistant Kylie Bywater’s can be most proud of this pantomime; it has all of the magical elements with some wonderful performances from the main characters.

Thoroughly enjoyable, children of all ages will love it – oh no they won’t – oh yes they WILL!