Theatre Review - Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

Prior to attending Magnus Theatre's play, my knowledge of A Christmas Carol started and ended with Jim Carrey's 2009 animated film. But I knew the basics: Ebenezer Scrooge was a grumpy old man who hated Christmas, the story took place in London, and somewhere, somehow, there were ghosts involved. 

My memory failed me to remember who Jacob Marley was. Thankfully, the play's opening lines quickly reminded me: “Marley was dead, to begin with…."

For those who don't recall, Jacob Marley was Scrooge's business partner who had died seven years ago. He was slightly less miserable than Scrooge but still a pretty sour and unpleasant man. 

In fact, he committed many sins and, as a result, was condemned to a hellish afterlife. In order to escape, Marley had to find a way to redeem Scrooge. 

Thom Currie, the sole cast member in Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, captured the intricacy of the protagonist's posthumous state. He also took on every other role. It was kind of like a group project where one person did all the work.

That being said, I would give all the group members full credit; by adopting distinct accents and using microphone SFX, Currie shifted between characters with impressive ease. Of course, the performance demanded a focused and undivided attention. It reminded me of listening to that one friend who is really good at telling a story. 

Overall, what stuck with me the most was the final sentiment of the play: it is our duty to be in the business of helping others. Like Marley, we too can right our wrongs, and the “chains forged in life" can be undone by looking beyond our own needs, especially during this holiday season.