Tommy Steele returns to the Palladium with Scrooge
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
TOMMY Steele is returning to the London Palladium in Bill Kenwright’s production of Scrooge, Leslie Bricusse’s musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, which runs for a strictly limited season – from October 24, 2012 to January 5, 2013.
Scrooge is the story of the miserly Ebenezer, to whom everything – including Christmas – is ‘humbug’. Until, that is, one particular Christmas Eve when he’s visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and more alarmingly, Christmas Future.
The score includes I Hate Christmas, It’s Not My Fault, I’ll Begin Again and Better Life.
Scrooge first appeared as a film back in 1970 and starred the wonderful Albert Finney, who won an Oscar for his performance. Later, in 1992, it was staged in Birmingham, with Bricusse’s long-time collaborator Anthony Newley in the title role. It was last seen at the Palladium in 2005, again starring Steele who, over the years, has played the title role more than any other actor.
It’s difficult to believe, but Steele’s career began way back in the 1950s with a string of chart hits (hands up all those who remember Handful of Songs and Little White Bull). Then, in 1963, he starred in Half a Sixpence, not only in the West End but also on Broadway. And later, in 1967, he reprised his role in the Hollywood film version.
His other films include Finian’s Rainbow, The Happiest Millionaire and The Tommy Steele Story.
On stage, many of Steele’s biggest successes have been at the London Palladium – in shows such as Hans Christian Anderson, The London Palladium Show, Dick Whittington and Singin’ in the Rain which ran for 894 performances and which Steele himself directed.
Bricusse’s other major works include Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, Pickwick and Doctor Dolittle.
Directed by Bob Tomson, Scrooge is designed by Paul Farnsworth, with illusions by Paul Kieve and choreography by Lisa Kent.
Scrooge will fill a gap at the Palladium between the closure of The Wizard of Oz on September 2, 2012, and the opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in June 2013.