Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

FROM THE 2025 APOLLO THEATRE, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE PRODUCTION. Some actors have now left the cast.

(seen at the afternoon performance on 18th December 2025)

The monkey thought the Old Vic’s production was risky enough from the front row. Having its ankle raked by Marley’s chain, and later dodging the cart and flying turkey with accompanying vegetables.

Turns out nowhere near as dangerous as Cornley Theatre’s lighting rig, where “natural selection” determines how many remain attached to the battens...

Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields have revised and extended Mischief Theatre’s television episode “A Christmas Carol” for the stage. The result is mixed.

It looks great. Libby Todd’s set is an integral part of the comedy, an accident with the “model box” generating some of the most inspired humour on offer - as well as enjoyment for the technically minded at how it all works without really maiming the team.

David Howe directs and distracts with the safer lighting equipment, making another really good joke happen twice. Alexandra Faye Braithwaite completes the main technical trio with sound and music adding to the fun. Worth mentioning them, as without their skills, chaos could not safely ensue.

Which it does, for the most part. A rather elongated opening audition sequence drags, as we meet everybody (multiple times in some cases) and wonder if things will move on to the actual disastrous performance Cornley Polytechnic are infamous for.

It is during a committee meeting, around 20 minutes in, that the show springs to life with the first amusing set-ups. From there it is a bumpily engaging ride.

Daniel Fraser at Chris lacks a little of the insecure mania of Henry Shields in the role, but manages a surprisingly touching and appropriately crafted ending to his various self-inflicted travails.

We can always rely on Henry Lewis as Robert – an appreciative round of applause from fans greeting his first arrival. His Christmas Present is literal, his bear-roar delivery of a confusing array of classic Christmas movie lines hilarious and expertly timed.

Likewise, Jonathan Sayer’s Dennis is loved. The bumbling loner works ingenious hidden cue cards to maximum effect, simple errors literally raining chaos (and a particularly clever charity gag) on all around him.

With the always cherished Nancy Zamit as Annie as his foil (their hat and coat routine rightly stopping the show), a pairing who cannot be missed. Alone, Zamit shines as ever, wide-eyed and practical in the chaos, anchor adrift on its seabed.

Chris Leask as Trevor manages the usual insouciance. Parking skills a key disruptor, “health and safety” a mere 'serving suggestion', and a lunatic turn as final ghost, a delight.

Thrilled in his own appearance, Greg Tannahill is agreeable Jonathan. Just wanting to be on stage, and cheerfully spreading goodwill whether required or not. A sunny and guileless contrast. Matt Cavendish as Max also has his moments, literally tangled at times.

Sasha Frost as Sandra is simply cooler than Charlie Russell in the role. More interested in that movie role than flirty asides, rather stiffer and less participatory in the chaos.

It takes inventiveness to keep the parody intact and bring it to the surprisingly satisfactory conclusion. With the wild excesses before the final scene, the deftness of it is as impressive as the interwoven callbacks used throughout.

If the show does lag at times and also fall back into much-used Mischief tropes which we had perhaps hoped were gone after this year’s mature “The Comedy About Spies,” the fact remains that Cornley Polytechnic have produced “A Christmas Carol” and that Sandra can be contacted for further details.

See it to get that joke among thousands of others. A giant Malteser of a show (and that’s another of them).

The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.

Notes:
No performances on 25th December 2026 and 1st January 2027.
No 7.30pm performances on 24th and 31st December 2026.

Extra 2.30pm performances on 22nd, 29th and 31st December 2026.
Extra 1pm performance on 24th December 2026.

Venue Box Office & Current Prices