Last night, the historic St Mary the Virgin Church in Nonington hosted a captivating performance of A Christmas Carol, bringing Rotarians and the community together for a night of festive cheer.
In the lead up to the event, PP Peter Hermitage stated: “this performance can MEAN the start of Christmas” – and he wasn’t wrong! Over 26 Rotarians and their guests gathered to enjoy the unique version of the seasonal classic. The evening began with a hearty supper of haggis, neaps, and mash provided by PP Phil Abbott. This was followed by a delicious Christmas pudding – generously laced with brandy – which was brought along by Peter. The warm and convivial meal set the perfect tone for the theatrical experience ahead.
The play itself, performed by a talented cast from local families and starring Sid Moon as a superb Scrooge, brought Dickens’ timeless story (adapted from the original by Matt Sullivan) to life in a way that felt both realistic and deeply engaging. Creative use of smoke effects added a hauntingly atmospheric quality to the nave, immersing the audience in the ghostly world of Ebenezer Scrooge and his spectral visitors.
“The evening wasn’t just a celebration of Christmas, but also a testament to the joy of coming together to share Rotary fellowship, food, laughter, and the magic of theatre,” said one of the attendees. Rotarians left with full hearts and high spirits, all thanking Phillip and his helpers for the festive treat. All-in-all the event was a delightful reminder of the power of storytelling … and helped bring the Christmas spirit a little early to the quiet little village.
Picture: A snapshot of the performance in the nave of the historic church. Picture credit: Roger Hickman. (A short clip from the performance can be found on our Facebook page.)
With thanks to Roger for drafting this article.
