BENEATH the stone arches that rose above Victorian streets, the cogs and wheels of industry whirred while the ghost of Christmas past (Emily Froggatt) whisked the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Stephen Emery) back to the days of his youth.

There, a compassionate portrayal of the young Ebenezer Scrooge was given by Daniel Haslem, who played a young man being overtaken by ambition to make money to provide his fiancée Belle (Amanda K Hootman) with everything she could desire.

Sadly, Scrooge’s increasing obsession with money causes him to lose the love of his life and turns him into a lonely old man.

Ben Salter stole the audience’s heart as Tiny Tim. In fact, the entire child cast was completely outstanding.

This exuberant musical with vibrant and sparkling performances provides a magical start to the Christmas season.

DIANA HOLMAN