THE concept of a play within a play can certainly be challenging to master – thankfully Shoddy Theatre pulled it off perfectly in their latest production at the Lichfield Garrick.
Featuring just three actors and a single set, A Shoddy Christmas Carol was a fast-paced and funny exploration of the classic tale as a hapless stage manager, an understudy fourth in line to play Scrooge and a self-important director are forced to stage the play themselves after their cast fail to arrive.
As ever with the ‘play in a play’ model, audience interaction was part of the fun and there were plenty of opportunities for the Studio’s clientele to get involved without it overpowering the production and distracting too much.
Jacob Aldcroft, as the unfortunate stage manager forced to step into the limelight, was the perfect foil for writer Mitch Donaldson’s infuriated director who managed to learn a thing or two from the story of Charles Dickens’ tale as the show progressed.
They were joined by Becky Bartram as the actor who is thrust to the top of the bill despite only originally picking up a part thanks to her father’s funding. She showed the talent needed for a brilliant actor to perform as one who isn’t.
The trio bounced off each other – and at times the audience – brilliantly all evening to deliver a show packed with laughter, slapstick, surprises and silliness that provided a perfect pre-Christmas treat.
The show runs until 4th January at the Lichfield Garrick. For tickets, call the box office on 01543 412121 or visit the theatre’s website.
