REVIEW: Scrooge at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing

You won't be able to help yourself, thanks to a sparkling production of Scrooge the Musical courtesy of Sussex Musical Productions.

A show absolutely not to be missed, this wonderful musical draws together local talent young and old in a truly moving stage show that will have you singing along as you leave the theatre with a big smile on your face.

Stalwart Lee Payne, a professional actor who is also well known for his work with Rainbow Theatre, takes the lead and makes it his own '“ something that is difficult with such a well-known character.

Lee has given a great deal to the local amateur scene in recent years by both performing and directing, for Sussex Musical Productions as well as other societies, alongside his professional commitments.

He has said in the past that performing with amateur societies gives him the chance to play main roles in musicals that he might not get the chance to do professionally.

He certainly made the most of the opportunity here, bringing poignancy as well as fun to the miserly old Ebenezer who discovers he doesn't hate Christmas as much as he thought he did. His duet with Douglas Wood, playing the Young Ebenezer, was particularly touching.

Local talent

And he was backed up but a wealth of other local talent, from the likes of Roley Petts as Jacob Marley to the youngest, at eight, William Jeffries and Daniel Ginn, sharing the role of Tiny Tim.

Who didn't have a tear in their eye as Tiny Tim sang his solo standing on his dining room table? And didn't he do well to keep it going as a background to Scrooge's monologue?

There is so much to enjoy in this colourful, fully-costumed production, with some fantastic group numbers and marvellous bit parts, including Joe Burns in his first role with the company as Tom Jenkins, Tim Ede and Andrea Martin as Bob and Mrs Cratchit, and Michelle Shepherd-Ede as both Isabel and Helen.

Scrooge the Musical runs at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre until Saturday (November 14) at 7.30pm daily with a Saturday matine at 2.30pm.

Tickets 11 to 15. Visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk, call 01903 206206 or visit the box office in person.

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