Tommy steals the show in Scrooge (From Northwich Guardian)

Tommy steals the show in Scrooge

10:25am Wednesday 14th December 2011 in Theatre & arts By Rick Bowen

TOMMY Steele may be in his 70s now but, as a performer, this all-round entertainer still has a great deal to give.

The highly likeable Londoner can sing, act and he’s a comedy natural, displaying a sense of timing that is second to none.

However, I was surprised to hear he’d been cast in Scrooge the musical, as I’d always thought of him as far too affable to convince as english literature’s most famous miser.

Silly me.

If you’re desperate to escape the panto fever which hits our theatreland at this time of year, or you’re simply searching for a top class evening’s entertainment, The Lowry’s Christmas production is a must for you.

While Steele steals the show, the rest of the company sounds fabulous too and the dancing is certainly as good as anything you’d find on the West End. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come make some memorable entrances and are very effectively portrayed by Sarah Renshaw, James Head and Nick Blair.

Leslie Bricusse’s score is a crowd pleaser rather than a classic but it certainly enriches the atmosphere of Dickens’ timeless, brilliant, if over performed festive tale. It was good to see so many children in the auditorium - I can’t think of a better way to introduce them to the theatre. It’s also far more entertaining than the dross and repeats that passes as Christmas TV.

* Until January 7. The box office is on 0843 208 6000. Star rating - ****