SCROOGE the Musical…or was it Andy Whittle’s finest moment?

Both in fact - entertainment on a grand and colourful scale once again from Kendal Amateur Operatic Society.

Andy was Scrooge. He gave a seamless performance of the miserly Dickens character.

As well as the crotchety old goat’s peevish, feeble voice he mastered the physique - the stooped, begrudging gait.

Then after ‘bah humbug’s’ humbling character transformation, he rose splendidly to be the cheery, affable Uncle Ebeneezer…who even liked children. It was marvellous and quite fascinating to watch such a convincing act.

Of course, it wasn’t just Andy’s night. The whole cast in true KAOS style gave their all, turning from what I gather was a shaky first night earlier in the week into a roaring success.

The trio of spirits all gave strong performances, particularly Richard Sutton as Ghost of Christmas Present, and I particularly liked the voice of Wayne Bartholomew playing, among his roles, the young Ebeneezer.

But as Andy and ensemble brought the house down with song and dance, the hard working stage crew propped up the whole show with countless scene changes. I did feel there were a tad too many, which at times in the first half affected the continuity.

As well as the staunch society regulars it was a week when the young faces of the society truly blossomed, lighting up the Brewery Arts Centre theatre with their presence - from Jason Whittle’s heart warming Tiny Tim and Anna Trelogan as Ebeneezer’s sister Jenny, to the cheeky banter of Tom Bates’s Topper and the other endearing Crachit’s: Claire Dunk as Kathy, Kate Brennan as Martha and Betty played by Shannon Whittle.

Add to the above the sterling efforts of the band, and we had a true Christmas cracker.