Stage: The classic Christmas tale in a historical setting

Charles Dickens in creating a Christmas Carol gave us what has become the very best and most poignant of festive tales. Ghosts lead Scrooge on a memorable journey, past, present and future to make him realise and embrace the spirit of Christmas, and it is a timeless tale of greed and redemption that never fails to work, which is no doubt why it has been adapted for film and stage so many times.

Now after a successful UK tour over Christmas 2016, European Arts Company return with their authentic adaptation of A Christmas Carol. You may be unaware that Charles Dickens originally wanted to be an actor and A Christmas Carol was the first public performance he gave of his own work. After his opening night he said The success was most wonderful and prodigious – perfectly overwhelming and astounding altogether!

Dickens enacted the work over 150 times and the effect on the public was phenomenal; he had a magnetic stage presence, riveting eyes, expressive voice and wonderful powers of characterisation. Remarkably, Dickens made more money from his readings than all his novels and stories put together.

I love Christmas, don’t you Mr Scrooge? Bah Humbug

This exciting production, adapted from Dickens’ own public reading scripts and eyewitness accounts of him on stage, recreates the spirit of Dickens’ original performances. Actor, John O’Connor lives in Rochester where Dickens grew up and set many of his stories including Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. O’Connor says, “I’m delighted to be touring again in A Christmas Carol. Dickens himself toured all over the UK and America performing the story and it’s wonderful to follow in his legendary footsteps. The reaction to the show last year was a delight and there will be laughs, tears and plenty of Christmas cheer.”

Dickens was passionately interested in the welfare of the poor and children in particular and many of his early readings were for charity. Doctor Thomas Barnardo was a contemporary of Dickens and was inspired to set up his first Ragged School partly as a result of Dickens’ writings and campaigning. This tour is in aid of the children’s charity Barnardo’s. The 2017 tour includes Brighton where Dickens himself did a reading at the Brighton Pavilion on 9 November 1861. Sue Westbury, from Barnardo’s says: “We are delighted that A Christmas Carol is touring once again to delight theatre goers in the run up to Christmas. Barnardo’s supports the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children across the UK and Christmas is a poignant time to remember those children and young people who are less fortunate. We are grateful to European Arts Company for supporting Barnardo’s and helping to raise vital funds. This Christmas, experience what it must have been like to be in the audience in the 1800s.” What better way to enjoy a seasonal treat in the spirit of Christmas past, present and future.

13–14 December, The Music Room, Brighton Royal Pavilion, £22.50, members £20, (includes an interval glass of white wine/soft drink in the Banqueting Room). Not suitable for children under 10 years.

03000 290902 (Mon-Fri) or email visitor.services@brighton-hove.gov.uk