Johnny McKnight’s Aganeza Scrooge makes a welcome return to The Tron for Christmas 2023. Despite premiering a few years ago now, the script’s cheeky humour remains fresh in the capable hands of director Sally Reid. Led by a larger-than-life turn from Scot Squad star Louise McCarthy, it’s Dickens, but not as you know it. McCarthy’s Aganeza remains resolutely opposed to charity – and to the working time directive – but is more a prosecco villain than a purveyor of bad cheese.
The story follows the familiar outline, three spirits – past, present, and future – each contributing to a supernatural plan to reform Aganeza’s skinflint character. Tiny Tim (Kyle Gardiner makes an art of the piteous mockey-accented cough), Cratchit (Julie Wilson Nimmo – the play’s resident chameleon), and Jacob Marley still show up as expected, and all of the play’s action takes place over a single day and night. Transposed to the 21st century ‘Dickensian Street’, and bathed in mockney accents and family-friendly banter Agenza Scrooge injects a lot more fun, and music than Charles found room for.
It’s a joyous affair, McCarthy opening the library on the cast, and audience alike, dispensing shade like flyers from the hand of a student actor on the Royal Mile in August. That is to say without fear, favour, or any conscience whatsoever. Just like an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, you will also find an abundance of Spice Girls influence, dance routines perpetually on the verge of erupting on stage without warning.
Ok, there’s nothing spooky about Aganeza Scrooge, but that’s fine. This show is more a silly, very Scottish, satirical knife in capitalism’s back, than a ghostly story of personal redemption. Jacob Marley (Kyle Gardiner) is a blinged-up bargain basement Karl Lagerfeld, the ghost of Christmas Past (Julie Wilson Nimmo) is a Wee Jimmy Krankie tribute act, Present an Aberdonian (you have to experience Katie Barnett’s Doric to believe it) Barbie Doll, whilst the future (Jamie Marie Leary) is an EXTREMELY politically correct android.
Swapping a panto-dame (McKnight played Aganeza when the show debuted back in 2012), for a woman in the role does change the energy of the show, moving it closer to absurdist play than panto. It’s a clever way to reinvent Aganeza Scrooge, and McCarthy is sensational in the lead whether it’s slaying the needy with a mean one-liner, or aggressively chatting up unwitting audience members. Hilariously barbed to begin, her ultimate conversion is heartfelt, and more moving than your typical pantomime redemption.
Complimented with finely exaggerated performances from the whole cast who wear their many characters with ease, the result is a fine show. Ross Brown’s musical set-pieces are sound, and the humour fruity without ever crossing the family-friendly line. McKnight knows how to entertain all ages without resorting to innuendo, and when the ad-libs come they keep the same spirit. So expect a merry cocktail of good old-fashioned jokes, tongue-twisters, clever lyrics, theatrical in-jokes, and jibes at anywhere that isn’t Glasgow. Not every scene is as deliciously funny as Gardiner’s perfectly judged turn as Aganeza’s boy-band refugee ex-boyfriend, but it’s never dull!
In the final reckoning, Aganeza Scrooge is a fine intro to the theatre for anyone 7+, and a hilarious, joyful festive offering for the whole family.
Aganeza Scrooge is a Tron Theatre Company production.
Show Details
Dates: Wed 29th November 2023 – Sun 7th January 2024
Showtimes:
Age Recommendation: 7+
Running Time:
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible Venue
- Wheelchair Accessible Toilet
- Audio Enhancement System
- Audio-described, captioned, and relaxed performances on certain dates.
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