HUMBUG by Tony Edwards

27th - 30th November 2003 - Crowthorne Parish Hall

"Humbug!" is a recent stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". It tells the story of how the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, for whom Christmas is "humbug" is forced to face the reality of what he is, and what he will become if he does not mend his miserly ways. The wealthy but miserly Scrooge is contrasted with the friends and families of his employees and associates who, although they lack money and food, celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. With the help of the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, he comes to see that he can still be saved from a lonely old age, aided with a frightening vision of dying alone and descending into Hell. Not surprisingly, this gets his attention, and he is shocked into reforming, becoming kind and generous, and leading the chorus in a jolly Christmas song. The story is well known and still very popular, with many stage versions. By modern tastes it is, of course, sentimental and melodramatic, and needs to be played in this way. However, this is not a mickey-take: the message that friends and family are more important than money is still relevant today. There are 10 songs, especially written for the show. Tickets available now from P&S News Crowthorne High Street or boxoffice@catswebsite.co.uk

Cast

	John Taylor	Ebenezer Scrooge			Claire Shenton-Taylor	Ghost of Christmas Past
	Rosemary Coulson	Annie			Angela Stone	Ghost of Christmas Future
	Caroline Prince-Wright	Sally			Lawre Doyle	Jacob Marley
	Sarah Hill	Mrs Cratchit			Rebecca Sinnett	Want / Urchin
	Simon Heffer	Bob Cratchit			James Sinnett	Ignorance / Urchin
	Rory Hill	Tiny Tim / Urchin			Tim Doyle	Teenage Ebenezer / Citizen
	Robyn Heffer	Belinda Cratchit			Stephanie Richards	Young Fan
	Emma Ricketts	Martha Cratchit			John Glossop	Young Man Ebenezer
	Georgina Ross	Emily Cratchit			Stuart Durrant	School Master / Old Joe / Citizen
	Jamie Heffer	Peter Cratchit / Urchin			Angie Chitty	Old Molly / Caroller
	Ian Machlachlan	Fred / Citizen			Maureen Cowley	Mrs Dibler
	Sophie Taylor	Poppy / Citizen			Julie Sandes	Poulterer / Citizen
	Louise Sinnett	Kate			Kim Edwards	Citizen
	Nick Skinner	Mr Fezziwig / Topper			Vicky Sorell	Citizen
	Jackie Ross	Mrs Fezziwig			Kim Davies	Citizen
	Emily Grieve	Belle			Stefanie Davey	Urchin / Demon
	Jon Keen	Ghost of Christmas Present / Dick			Anna Chitty	Urchin
	Lydia Allen	Urchin / Demon			Ross Phelps	Boy Ebenezer / Urchin

Band

Crew