AUDIENCES at Shebbear College were entertained by a new musical version of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.'

The musical was performed by more than 30 pupils at the College aged from 11 to 16.

The role of Scrooge was ably acted by Joe Hedges who performed the miserly covetous old sinner with skilful gusto. He was supported in this task by Matt Prowse as an impoverished Bob Cratchit, and Sam Conybeer as an enthralling and narrating Charles Dickens.

Other notable performances included the singing of Ezmay Jopling as a chained and bound Jacob Marley, Catherine Kotarski sweetly singing her debut role as Belle (Scrooge's long-lost girlfriend), and Callum Payne who not only played the part of the Ghost of Christmas yet to come, but at a last minute's notice, due to illness, had to play a raucously jovial Mrs Fezziwig.

The production was directed by Ian Burnett, Marie O'Shaughnessy and Alison Vassilaki, and musical direction was by Fiona Goode and Lisa Parker.