It was Marvels Operations Manager, Becky Davies, who suggested Scrooge for 2009’s Marvels Christmas sign-off.  All for it, Pastor Debbie offered her services as “production director” before suddenly realising there were only four Monday’s left for rehearsals prior to show-time!!

Could they pull it off?

The answer was a very big “yes”: both performance dates - 9th & 10th December - packed out to rave reviews.

“The Marvels were a joy to work with, their enthusiasm and dedication totally exemplary”, Debbie told us. “With Ugo playing a brilliant and sometimes demented Scrooge and the likes of Carwyn and Rhian totally convincing as ghosts, I have to admit to being a little worried that some of our audience could have ended up having nightmares!!”

Both nights saw the Gatehouse church filled to bursting with kids, parents and Sporting Marvels partners and supporters. It was a sight to behold! The atmosphere was truly electric and illustrated once again, just what’s being achieved in the area of relationship building.

The esteem in which the Marvels are held meant there was no problem selling tickets, the money helping pay for the hire of the sets and props that helped make the whole thing look like a West End show!
There were many outstanding performances that will live long in the memory. Ugo was like Robert De Niro as Scrooge, Angelo a perfect and humble Bob Cratchit, and Becky as Bob’s wife-with-attitude! It was all totally convincing, though rumours that Becky is receiving counselling are greatly exaggerated!!

“It was absolutely fantastic from start to finish”, said Ines Costa, mother of Pedro, who played the teenage Scrooge.

“The Marvels are amazing; they should be on Broadway!” said Garin Jenkins, 58 times capped Wales rugby international. Garin enjoyed the show so much on the Wednesday, he came back the next night to see it a second time!

“We love Sporting Marvels. It was brilliant and really entertaining”, chirped the girls from YGG Llwyncelyn.

Awesome!! It was a fantastic evening!” said Ashleigh Parfitt, a pupil at Ferndale Comp.

“I thought it was absolutely fabulous!” said Kathryn, the mum of one of our kids at YGG Llyn y Forwyn.  “Scrooge” brought the curtain down in spectacular fashion on 2009.

Well done one and all!!