NUMEROUS stage versions exist of A Christmas Carol, but any musical version with a score by the great Alan Menken has to be something special.

Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society has chosen this version of the beloved Charles Dickens tale as its next production. It will be the first time it has been staged in south Essex. A Christmas Carol opens on Wednesday.

The story, one of the most familiar ever written, is given a fresh boost by Alan Menken’s music. The multi-Oscar winning composer is best known for his scores for Disney films, including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and the Little Mermaid.

Top songs in the show include You Mean More to Me, sung by Bob Cratchit to Tiny Tim, and Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today, sung by Scrooge as he finally comes to embrace the Christmas spirit.

Andrew Seal, Lods Chairman and the show’s director, says: “Everyone, young and old, knows the story of Scrooge, the old miser who refuses to celebrate Christmas, and how he is visited by three spirits who show him the error of his ways before it is too late.

“Many versions of this timeless story have been presented in the past, so the challenge for LODS was to find a way to capture the imagination of today’s audiences.

“By using modern techniques to enhance the magic of the original story, we hope our unique vision will create a lasting, and fresh, impression, even for those who know the story backwards.”

The part of Scrooge is played by Peter brown, who has made a major impact in previous Lods productions, including the recent Drowsy Chaperone, and Jekyll and Hyde.

Christmas Carol is a family show in more ways than one.

Long-term Lods performer and director Helen Sharpe has not just one, but two sons appearing in the show. Will Sharpe plays the young Scrooge, aged 12, and Freddie Sharpe shares the role of Tiny Tim.

A Christmas Carol Palace Theatre, Westcliff Wednesday to Saturday Nightly at 7.30pm, mats Thurs and Sat 2.30pm, morning show 11am Thurs £16 (mats £13) 01702 351135