‘Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens
Adapted and Written by Simon Beattie
At the EK Arts Centre
17th/18th/19th December, 2009.
Production by http://www.nonsenseroom.co.uk
Cast: – Andrew Warnock and Stanley Pattison.

At this time of the year it is not uncommon to find a theatre producing ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Indeed it can be seen at the Dundee Rep. and Glasgow’s Oran Mor but, what must be a definitive rendition was the version put on by ‘Nonsense Room’ at the Arts Centre in East Kilbride.

Having had a success last year with Wonderful Life last year, it was going to be difficult to top it. However, faithful to Dickens’s story, Simon Beattie’s adaption was not only extremely accomplished but it was performed by a cast of only two. Andrew Warnock portrayed Dickens and Scrooge with great clarity and the whole gamut of emotion and ingenuity and his co-actor Stanley Pattison filled in with the rest of the remaining characters such as Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley and all three of the other visiting spirits of Christmas past, present and future. Other characters appeared as puppets, back projection and a ‘floating skull’.
This production was stuffed filled with as many theatrical devices that they could get in to tell the story in such an innovative way. And to that end the technical side should be congratulated.
The main applause, however, should go to both Andrew and Stanley in their portrayal of their characters – their professionalism shining through. Their own faces melted way as they took on each character and made you believe it was a cast of thousands that you were watching.
Andrew, as Scrooge, with some of his best highlights were when he held the audience in the palm of his hand, as he held one of several dramatic pauses to build the suspense.
Stanley’s versatility in language and posture had you almost believing that there were several ‘Stanleys’ popping in, in the disguise of yet another character. As much as they were stage actors I am looking forward to seeing them on the big screen where their talent can be given a wider audience.
It was truly an excellent Christmas present to East Kilbride in the form of the tour de force provided by cast and crew.

Copy End
By ken Lawton
Contact:- 01355 227 018 or kenlawton@sky.com
Theatre critic