The Blue Apple theatre companies latest stage production adds another twist to the popular Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol. With Katy Francis taking the lead role in what is to be believed the first female actress with downs to play the lead as Scrooge. She looks the part in her all-black period style dress with an accompanying bonnet. Her delivery is clear and performed with conviction.
An extremely well-dressed stage with lots of great features and details sets the scene perfectly. Some of which can be seen in the photographs accompanying the review. The four-poster bed and the kitchen hearth look especially authentic.
The haunting scene that has been filmed and projected in the scene of Marley’s ghost, played by Tommy Jessop is exceptional. The close up on his eyes bring to life his ghostly character to life through another dimension. The changes in his appearance could only have been captured by the recording. This style of pre cording projected scenes is becoming more widely used in Theatres and adds another depth to plays.
Above photo was taken from @BlueApplePlays
There are really interesting additions with the skeletal puppets appearing from within a coat. Along with a projected slide show using an old fashioned style projector, which introduces some of the next scenes visually. There is a mixture of comedy and sadness throughout plus a great twist on the traditional Pantomime Dame character, who can be seen in the photograph below.
The director Richard and his team have done a brilliant job in organising this production. However, it is the cast that deserves the majority of the credit. Overcoming difficulties to learn their lines and have the confidence to perform on the stage in the Theatre Royal is incredibly moving. They truly deserve to perform to sell-out auditoriums.
Above photo was taken from @BlueApplePlays.
One thing you can never fail to take away from watching one of their performances is the level of support and kindness they show to one another. It is an absolute privilege to be a small part of this very talented group.
The play is on from Friday 11th-Sunday 13th January 2019 7:30 pm at
The Theatre Royal,
Jewry Street,
Winchester,
Hampshire,
S023 2SB.
http://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
Tel 01962 840440
The Blue Apple Theatre Company
blueappletheatre.com
Email: admin@blueappletheatre.com
@BlueApplePlaysInstagram blueappletheatre
Other photos featured in this review were taken by the author.
Theatre, Films and Art reviews 
Love the review. I think there is one small typo. Sell out I think is sell-out instead of two words.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
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I would agree but Grammarly didn’t pick it up. Which it does
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