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Time Out November 29-December 6 2000
Churchill Theatre & The Studio, Beckenham
A novel approach to the ghost story by Charles Dickens has the book as the star. A giant version of it sits centre-stage during this one-man show from Booster Cushion Theatre Company. Adapted for children over five, selected highlights from Scrooge's Christmas story are acted out in a chaotic, comic style, aided by audience volunteers and a capacious tin of humbugs. BoosterCushion's intention Is 'bringing books to life for children', which is why the actual volume of whichever story being adapted dominates the shows. In this one, pages are turned to find relevant props in Scrooge's life. The idea is to send children away with the desire to consult the original. Philip Sherman, communicating both through signing and talking nineteen to the dozen, introduces the story and plays Scrooge and all his ghostly visitors. Sherman refers to excerpts from the book constantly, but spends relatively little time on the night of haunting; making children curious about the spooks that Dickens invented to torment his miser. He is, however, punctilious over his scene setting, talking about life in Dickens' day, and asking for assistance in completing his anecdotes. As well as his book, he has suitcases from which he produces costumes, both for him and his volunteers, whom, in this- production, he greets as Cratchett, Tiny Tim, Fezziwhig and others. A talent for both face- and leg-pulling stands the eloquent Sherman in good stead, especially as he opens himself up for a certain amount of heckling. An over-excited party of nine- year-old girls clamouring for his attention when I saw him were reduced to helpless giggles by his ad libs and a daft Scrooge- and-his-teddy routine: they won't forget their Dickens in a hurry.
Ronnie Haydon
Churchill Theatre & The Studio, Beckenham
A novel approach to the ghost story by Charles Dickens has the book as the star. A giant version of it sits centre-stage during this one-man show from Booster Cushion Theatre Company. Adapted for children over five, selected highlights from Scrooge's Christmas story are acted out in a chaotic, comic style, aided by audience volunteers and a capacious tin of humbugs. BoosterCushion's intention Is 'bringing books to life for children', which is why the actual volume of whichever story being adapted dominates the shows. In this one, pages are turned to find relevant props in Scrooge's life. The idea is to send children away with the desire to consult the original. Philip Sherman, communicating both through signing and talking nineteen to the dozen, introduces the story and plays Scrooge and all his ghostly visitors. Sherman refers to excerpts from the book constantly, but spends relatively little time on the night of haunting; making children curious about the spooks that Dickens invented to torment his miser. He is, however, punctilious over his scene setting, talking about life in Dickens' day, and asking for assistance in completing his anecdotes. As well as his book, he has suitcases from which he produces costumes, both for him and his volunteers, whom, in this- production, he greets as Cratchett, Tiny Tim, Fezziwhig and others. A talent for both face- and leg-pulling stands the eloquent Sherman in good stead, especially as he opens himself up for a certain amount of heckling. An over-excited party of nine- year-old girls clamouring for his attention when I saw him were reduced to helpless giggles by his ad libs and a daft Scrooge- and-his-teddy routine: they won't forget their Dickens in a hurry.
Ronnie Haydon
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