A Christmas Carol

Review by Martine Silkstone

On December 14, The Bury St Edmunds Broadcasting Company staged their own production of the Dickens classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’.

And what a festive treat it was!

Written by Jess Hughes - who also narrates - it was performed as a radio play at the town’s Unitarian Meeting House, with a large cast of local actors taking on the well-known story Scrooge and his ghosts.

Now, you may be picturing this audio-focused approach as being slightly dry, with just the voices to keep a whole narrative on track - but you’d be so wrong. Alongside the simply marvellous vocal talents on display, there was also atmospheric lighting, clever sound effects and an impressive array of costumes combining to paint the full Dickensian picture.

Indeed, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was really quite haunting!

And most importantly, Hughes created a warm, funny and neatly abridged script which kept everything moving a-pace and covered all necessary ground in just one and a half hours - perfect for a Sunday evening.

Full credit, of course, to the fabulous local performers that truly brought it to life.

Jeremy Warbrick was a gentle Scrooge - suitably grumpy but ready for redemption - and Stuart McLellan wore the chains well as Marley. Special mention also for the young Zach Spriggs who was both sweet as Tiny Tim and wonderfully cheeky as the young boy Scrooge sends to buy a turkey at the end. And I loved the booming voice of Colin Musgrove as the Ghost of Christmas Present. And Hugh Weller-Poley who is all goodness as Fred. And Kate Steggles who offers such heart as Molly Cratchit…

I could so easily go on.

This was my first encounter with ‘A Christmas Carol’ this year and I have to say it really set the tone for the coming celebrations. It was full of warmth, humour, emotion and hope - everything it should be.

If you missed it, you missed a treat. But check back next year as they may return in 2026 …

Note: When I reviewed their production of ‘The Ghost Stories of M R James’ last month, there was a few issues with background noise from the crew due to the intimate venue - I’m delighted to say that this has now largely been solved which is great.

A Christmas Carol was at the Unitarian Meeting House in Bury St Edmunds.