Scrooge show cast bring festive cheer

Oakengates Theatre @ The Place is the venue for Scrooge, the Musical Theatre Academy's musical version of the Charles Dickens masterpiece A Christmas Carol.

The show started on Thursday night, played last night and the final performances were being staged at 2pm and 7.30pm today.

John Ellis, who runs The Crown pub in Oakengates, is laying on some special beers to compliment the show and give the cast and theatre fans a little extra Christmas cheer.

He is selling the brews Young Ebeneezer, Old Ebeneezer, Christmas Yet To Come, Old Scrooge and Tiny Tim Mild.

Old Scrooge comes from the Three Tuns Brewery in Bishop's Castle while the others have been produced to John's specifications by the Lichfield Brewery. John, whose sons Martin and Luke are both academy members, said: "The beers are going extremely well. I'm really pleased.

"They have proved a big hit, not with the regulars but with people who have seen the show and the cast as well."

Internationally acclaimed director Jamie Hayes is behind the Scrooge show which features a cleverly designed, imposing and inventive set representing down-at-heel parts of Victorian London.

The pace of the story is impressive as songs and scenes take the mean and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge through a review of his life. The title role is shared between Steve Woollett and Kurt Hassell who give powerful performances as the bullying skinflint.

Despite, his shabby existence, Bob Cratchit is a happy soul, played with enthusiasm and humour by Bobby Standley. Bob's smallest son, Tiny Tim, will die unless the family can afford care and medicine and only Scrooge can afford to help. The last chances to find out if they succeed are at the theatre today and some tickets are still available by calling (01952) 382382.

The Musical Theatre Academy is already recruiting for its next show, Footloose, in the spring. For more details visit musical

theatreacademy@hotmail.co.uk