Bah! Humbug! Scrooge Musical for Perth

A MUSICAL re-telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol takes the stage at Melville Theatre (WA) from November 16.

Directed by Neroli Burton, Scrooge is closely adapted from the music and screenplay from the 1970 film of the same name.

It follows the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge who, through greed, has lost all that is good but undergoes redemption on Christmas Eve after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

“The story shows changing what you don't like about yourself allows you a life full of things more than riches, such as laughter, friendship, family and goodwill,” Burton said.

“In discussion with my musical director, I asked his advice on musicals that would work at

Melville Theatre and he gave me the idea of presenting Scrooge. 

“It’s not one I’ve done before but, the more we rehearse, the more I’m pleased I took his advice to bring a beautiful classic story to the stage in musical form – and what could be better just before Christmas?”

First stepping up to the stage as a 12-year-old with the Playhouse Junior Repertory, Burton spent 10 years with Patch Theatre and won the Ida Beeby Memorial Trophy for best student member in 1965.

She’s won plenty of awards over the years with Melville and Marloo Theatres for best actress, production, director, set and costumes for shows including Hello From Bertha, The Sound of Music, The King and I, South Pacific, Oliver and The Darling Buds of May.

Burton has also directed My Fair Lady and TheKing and I at the Regal Theatre. 

“I believe musicals sell themselves and Scrooge will be no different,” she said. “A Christmas Carol is a story a lot of the young ones will only know as a name.

“Those who have read the book need to allow for the changes made when it’s turned into a musical piece.

“Trying to use the stage to its full capacity to ensure the production is as true to life as we can make it is the main challenge, especially when the three spirits visit Scrooge.”

Scroogeplays at 8pm, November 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and December 1 with a 2pm matinee December 1. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9330 4565 or email bookings@meltheco.org.au.

Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra. More information is available at www.meltheco.org.au.

Images: Scrooge (Craig Menner, second from right) is confronted by the ghosts of Christmas past (Kaori Maeda-Judge, left), future (Howard Steinberg) and his former business partner Jacob Marley (Andy Markland).