Review: A Christmas Carol - As told by Jacob Marley (Deceased). Criterion Blue Town

It’s not often one man can hold a hushed audience in the palm of his hand for 75 minutes without a break. But award-winning actor James Hyland has mastered the mesmerising art.

James Hyland as the ghost of Jacob Marley

As the houselights dimmed at the Criterion Blue Town on Saturday (December 13) Hyland, painted in grey from head to foot as the ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge’s late departed business partner Jacob Marley made a spectacular entrance.

He blasted through the curtains from the wings accompanied by blood-curdling cries of screaming spirits trapped between worlds of heaven and earth and then stumbled across the stage weighed down by clanking iron chains.

This was clearly not going to be a happy, musical Muppet version of one of Charles Dickens’ most loved tales.

James Hyland on stage at the Criterion Blue Town

You will know the story. Skinflint Scrooge has been working late in the office with his trusty but woefully underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit and now, alone in his bed, the three ghosts of Christmas past, present and future come knocking on his door.

Each visit becomes more terrifying than the last.

This was heart-in-the-mouth theatre in its finest form as Hyland delivered line after faultless line of perfect prose brought to life with exquisite detail and the cleverest of subtle mime.

How does one man playing all these parts make this happen without any props or special effects, save for a single wooden chair placed stage centre?

James Hyland backstage preparing to change into the ghost of Jacob Marley

It can only be magic. Or rigorous rehearsals to get every nuanced movement and gasp on breath just so. Of course, Hyland has been doing this one-man show since 2009 so he should have the hang of it by now.

He not only stars in the production but he also wrote the script and directs.

It seems impossible that one man could be so talented, although, to be fair, Nicki Martin-Harper’s costume of rags and moth-eaten mittens, and her make-up design, have a lot to answer for. Perhaps it’s best not to ask how Hyland’s eyes glow evilly red while on stage.

As one shell-shocked audience member remarked after the show: “I have no idea how he managed to remember all those words. It was like a West End performance.”

For those who missed it, the good news is that Hyland will return to this venue at Halloween (October 31) next year for an even more sinister and thought-provoking production of the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. See it, if you dare…

Sheppey Scene rating: *****

More production details from brotherwolf.org.uk

Hear and see James Hyland talking about A Christmas Carol - as told by Jacob Marley (Deceased) here...