Having already watched a ballet version of Dickens' classic tale in the last couple of weeks, and my annual viewing of the Muppets masterful adaptation set to take place, it seems appropriate to me that Ghosted is self-aware enough to subtitle itself as Another F*cking Christmas Carol. However, this hilarious, frenetic, wonderfully camp, and frequently obscene take on the tale is unlike any other.
Eloisa (Rachel Fletcher-Hudson) and Bobbi (Teleri Hughes) replace Ebenezer and Bob, and there's a whole host of adjustments to key characters. For instance, Bobbi is gay and married to Emily (Charlie Bryant), a mother of four identical sons, all called Will (also played by Bryant).
In fact, apart from the ghosts of past, present, and Christmas yet to come (played with a sassy verve by Joshua Coley), as well as a happy ending, very little remains of Dickens' narrative.
It matters little though, because as a stand-alone, alternative festive tale, Ghosted does a wonderful job of providing outrageous, hilarious entertainment.
As the subtitle foreshadows, the show is littered with obscenities, including in their re-working of classic Christmas carols, which are beautifully performed I might add. The energetic four-strong cast are eminently likeable, and lean into the ridiculous elements of the production, with Coley's ghost costumes and Bryant's constant role and accent-swapping providing lots of laughs.
If you're up for a performance of filth and hilarity, you're in for a treat, but the heartwarming Dickens tale it most certainly ain't. Ghosted continues at Norwich Theatre Playhouse until 21 December.
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