Average Romp, out now

 

Are we born wicked? Toby Veck’s eyes are opened by the Chimes on New Year’s Eve…

Charles Dickens’ second – and much less well-remembered – Christmas book takes the spotlight in this sumptuous audio from Jonathan Morris’ Average Romp. It’s a far cry from their Dick Dixon SF spoofs or even the Michael Jackson/Benny Hill encounter from a few months ago. This is a full-on audio retelling of a story that’s been completely overshadowed by the reputation of A Christmas Carol – yet it hits some of the same touchstones in terms of its portrayal of potential futures, and its concern with social welfare. And this one has goblins…

Morris’ adaptation skilfully fillets Dickens’ text – which can become quite prolix in places – and the story now starts with a young mother, at her wits’ end, taking her own life and that of her baby. That murder/suicide is critical to the entire tale, as it provides the first indications of the state of mind of the various characters from different strata of society – from the Alderman determined to Put It Down to porter Toby Veck, whose worries about the future are brought to life by the Chimes when he ascends the local bell tower on New Year’s Eve night. To care about these characters’ fates, we need to get to know them first, and the initial third of the play gives us a very clear picture, before we accompany Veck into glimpses of the future and their apparently inexorable descent.

There’s a terrific cast, led by Toby Jones as the downtrodden Toby alongside Lucy Speed, Laura Aickman and Victoria Alcock, with David Horovitch as the narrator. Lisa Bowerman’s direction propels the story forward, never shying away from the harshness of life in 1844 (the opening scene is a difficult listen) but letting the characters’ humour come through where necessary, and embracing the supernatural elements. It’s definitely one to try to listen to on headphones to get the full effect of the goblins courtesy of Howard Carter’s strong sound design!

Verdict: 1844 and 2022 are more alike than perhaps we’d like to believe, and this engaging adaptation is a chance to experience Dickens’ powerful tale. 9/10

Paul Simpson