Production photos by Steve Gregson
Set and Costume Design for New Writing | Orange Tree Theatre
Directed by Becca Chadder
Written by Becca Chadder, based on the Novel by Charles Dickens
Lighting Design by Jonathan Chan
Sound Design by Matt Eaton
Production Management by Stuart Burgess, Priya Virdee
Stage Management by Katy Ross & Jenny Skivens
Costume Assistance by Cieranne Kennedy-Bell
(Set Design for ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ by Neil Irish & Anett Black)
Cast: Chloe Sommer, Callum Broome
Aimed to appeal to an audience of 5-10 Years Old, ‘Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol’ was a re-telling of the famous story from Tiny Tim’s perspective. Now a little older, considerably healthier & quite a few heads taller, Tim, concerned that his dad Bob Cratchit is becoming too wrapped up in work and starting to become a bit like what their old Uncle Scrooge used to be like, Tim decides he needs to do an intervention.
Tim arrives at his father’s office with a box full of ‘props’ and finally manages to convince his dad to tell the story together with costumes and props and a little help from the audience!
Costume Design Sketches, Scrooge & Marley Portraits by Isabella Van Braeckel on Procreate
The design for this production had to bring a lot of humour and silliness as well as being very swift and clear. Bob & Tim would play many characters each, including themselves and each other!
So for the human characters, hats and jackets would become key to being able to identify them quickly. A mop head for Mrs Cratchit, a red coat covered in Mince Pies for Mr Fezziwig at his party and Top Hats, and tailcoats for young Scrooge and Marley.
Costume was significantly bolder for the ghosts however. Marley’s chains made out of Christmas party-ready paper chains, a wreath plucked off the door for Christmas Past and a flamboyant curtain pole dress for Christmas Present. Their ridiculousness would counteract the darkness of Christmas Future appearing as the flickering lights on a Christmas tree.
“Isabella van Braeckel’s set is a flexible set of props cleared daily for the Goldsmith play running alongside it. Echoing that production, a simple portrait of Jacob Marley hangs balefully aloft, as holy and ivy-encrusted corners give on to a table and at one point a meagre Christmas meal (hauntingly, one of six plates is removed for a grim future).”
“Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol triumphs as easily the best junior take on this classic I’ve ever seen.”
Simon Jenner, Fringe Review
“‘flanked by portraits of both Scrooge and Marley (additions by set designer Isabella Van Braeckel, who has also added festive flourishes to the main set)”
Louise Penn, Broadway World
“The production overflows with the joy of a dressing up box, finding good natured humour in the frenzy.”
“Designer Isabella Van Braeckel’s set and costumes are minimal, but fun. At one point Sommer hoists on some green curtains, rail and all – as the Ghost of Christmas Present.”
Tom Wicker, The Stage
Isabella Van Braeckel : Designer for Performance 