The life of Charles Dickens becomes strangely entangled with that of his famous character Scrooge in this brand-new piece of theatre, soundtracked by colourful Victorian popular songs and street music, haunting old carols and lively folk dance music.
It’s Charles Dickens’ last Christmas Eve: 1869. Against his doctor’s wishes, he gives one of his acclaimed theatrical readings of A Christmas Carol: but from the moment the lights go down, his life becomes strangely entangled with his character Scrooge. Dickens’ carefully managed image as a family man, who has created the very quintessence of Christmas starts to unravel. He is haunted by three women who force him to face up to his past, present and future. Can Dickens learn from the ghosts, repent – and be saved, as Scrooge was saved?

This brand-new piece of theatre with music comes from the pen of Clare Norburn (Unsung Heroine, Into the Melting Pot) and her ground-breaking performance group The Telling, who are renowned for their special intimate performances of carols, medieval and renaissance music, and bringing together new writing and music in interesting and imaginative combinations.