A CHRISTMAS CAROL Play Review

Charles Dickens' novella 'A Christmas Carol' invariably finds itself on school syllabi as it offers the perfect lesson for sharing and being joyful. Besides Christmas is the season for joy and charity. Yet the novella is timeless. The protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge has earned a reputation. An embittered, miserly soul is promptly nicknamed Scrooge; and his favorite phrases "Bah! Humbug," can be recalled by anyone familiar with the story.

Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation into a gentler, kindlier man after the visitation by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future form the crux of this Christmas tale.

Director Avaan Patel has set 'A Christmas Carol' in present times and placed it in Mumbai. Scrooge and Marley are Scrooge and Meherwan; both are reputed kanjoos makhkhi choos (bitter old misers). The novella has been an avenue for experimentation. Avaan Patel resorts to musical theatre and has used song and dance to enhance the narration, giving a fresh theatrical experience to a well-worn tale.

The play starts with a young man singing from the aisles a well loved Christmas song. This is just the beginning of the audience's discovery of a bunch of well honed voices and dancers who spin the story on its sides with timed inserts of dance and song. As Meherwan takes Scrooge on a life changing journey, he encounters the spirits of Christmases past, present and future, and Scrooge begins to see the error of his ways.

Dodo Bhujwala plays Scrooge with a bit of humour to lighten up the grumpy character, while Adrian Periera plays Meherwan's ghost. It was the blast of energy from the young talent of dancers and singers, which kept the audience engaged all through. The singers were pitch perfect in a cappella singing.

By dispensing with mufflers and overcoats, making the characters familiar, and interspersing their dialogue with local slang words, reiterates that a literary classic can be made audience-friendly. Recommended viewing for all ages.

Piroj Wadia is a film critic, journalist and copy consultant of long standing. She has been reviewing Hindi films for the Free Press Journal and international films for Screen. She has written extensively on television and films for Screen, Indian Express & Deccan Chronicle. Other papers she writes for are Midday, Afternoon Despatch & Courier, Jame-Jamshed Weekly. She has served on the jury for the ITA awards; and IDPA awards.