Scrooge

Christmas cheer is being served in gallon-sized jugs this week at Victoria Hall.

That is where Keighley Amateurs are whipping up a festive mood in their latest stage musical.

It's the society's best show for years, entertainment of such perfection they haven't achieved since Hello Dolly! back in the 1990s.

Keith Marsden's spellbinding production tickles the funnybones, chills the blood and ultimately gives the heartstrings a firm wrench.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one in tears when Tiny Tim -- a charming Thomas Haughey -- wished everyone Merry Christmas.

Scrooge tells the Christmas Carol story straight, mixing Charles Dickens's well-known words with a glittering parcel of tuneful songs.

The script has enough original touches that the excellent cast can bring the story up as fresh as a newly-baked mince pie.

Peter Whitley, always a joy to watch, is never less than brilliant in his totally believable portrayal of the old miser Ebenezer Scrooge.

He is supported by a large cast of principals, all very good, and too numerous to mention all by name.

Among them, I felt Anthony Waddington, Robert Lister, Mark Brown and John Short especially captured the essence of the familiar Dickens characters.

The large chorus was also superb -- adults and children alike -- with the six dancers particularly notable.

Musical director Peter Wild's orchestra played with an admirable grace, complementing the singing very well.

Using simple sets to aid swift scene-changing worked well, but I felt the vast white backdrop was too stark and intrusive.

Thankfully, the sparkling pace and exuberant performances ensured this was only a minor irritation in a thoroughly enjoyable show.

* Tonight 7.15pm, tomorrow 2.15pm and 7.15pm. Book tickets today at Keighley Information Centre, phone 01535 652547, or try on the door.

David Knights