A Christmas Carol, Chichester Festival Theatre

SO SCROOGE wasn't such a bad old chap after all. In fact, in Nigel Bryant's new version of the Dickens classic that opened at Chichester last night, he doesn't appear to be that nasty even before his transformation.

Michael Feast plays the cantankerous old skinflint part-panto, part-children's entertainer, part- Shakespeare. But after initially grating, the mix melds and what emerges is a miser with a heart that you just can't help liking.

Ably supported by a cast that swops roles as easily as his visiting spirits swop time zones, Scrooge is whisked off on an adventure through a Victorian world coming to grips with messages of greed, poverty, and salvation through the Christmas spirit.

Anthony Lamble's simple sets allow the players to create an ever-changing London landscape, as the tale of festive hauntings takes Scrooge and forwards in time.

There are some delightful comic touches, just enough musical numbers and plenty of surprises to keep the attention of younger members of the audience.

There's a twist or two, too, with the spirits, each of them enjoying enough of a dash of originality to break the mould of so many that have gone before.

Myra McFaden, swopping between the role of Mrs Cratchit, gives a whimsical performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past, John Lightbody is a lovely Christmas Present with an almost flippant approach and the puppetry of Christmas Future played by Fergus O'Donnell is spellbinding.

Nicholas Tennant excels as Bob Cratchit bouncing from exuberance to despair as he lives the joy of the season and the death of Simon Trinder's touching Tiny Tim.

Last night's performance had a few problems with sound, and anyone expecting a roustabout pantomime will be disappointed. But for true lovers of the Christmas spirit this is a gem.