Dickens’ classic tale of the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and an old miser’s redemption is as essential to the season as turkey, pudding and mistletoe. This year sees theatre productions of the festive story happening across London – here are just four:
The Old Vic’s annual production, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child fame, has become an institution. It’s always a lively affair, with mince pie sellers in the aisles and strings of sausages flying overhead. This year Stephen Mangan of Green Wing and The Split plays Ebenezer Scrooge. Catch it until 8 January.
This version was adapted for the stage by actor and writer Mark Gatiss – an expert on all things spooky and macabre. He also plays Jacob Marley. As you might expect, the production, in Alexandra Palace’s atmospherically restored theatre is big on creepy special effects. Nicholas Farrell plays Scrooge – until 9 January.
If you’re looking for the familiar tale told with a twist, this show, by post-punk street musicians The Tiger Lillies, might be your thing. Peppered with original songs about the darker side of Dickensian life; prostitution, addiction, violence and despair, expect a mix of pre-war Berlin cabaret, anarchic opera, seedy vaudeville and grunge. Until 30 December. Age 14+.
Where better to watch a production of A Christmas Carol than in the former home of Dickens himself? A one-man show by James Swanton, performed very much as audiences would have originally enjoyed the work. Until 23 December.
Find more London Christmas shows in this Londonist article.
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Kevin Gold
Kubie Gold Associates are an independent local firm of estate agents specialising in the Rental, Sale and Property Management of Residential Property in the North-West and Central London market
