Quintessential seasonal story A Christmas Carol will be staged as Charles Dickens might have performed it, in a solo production, when A (One-Man) Christmas Carol plays at The Hen & Chickens Theatre this December. Time to book those tickets!
The adaptation of the famous tale, by Jud Charlton and Paulo Serra, runs at the Islington venue from 11-21 December 2019.
London. 1843. Christmas Eve. Despite the cold and widespread poverty of the time, people’s joy fills the streets resounding with Christmas songs. That evening everyone seems happy, apart from Ebenezer Scrooge, one of the richest and unhappiest men in town. Enslaved by his own selfishness and so miserable that he would not spend even a penny for himself, Christmas is just a waste of time for Scrooge. However, that very night the spirit world decides to pay him a visit. From that Christmas on, Scrooge is never be the same.
Originally published on 19 December 1843, the first edition of Dickens’ novella sold out by Christmas Eve. By the end of the following year, a further 13 editions had been printed. In 1849 he began giving public readings of the story. He gave more than 120 such readings between then and 1870. It is these readings that inspired Charlton’s one-man performance.
Speaking about the story, co-adaptor and performer Charlton said:
“A Christmas Carol is the Dickens’ present to the word. It has shaped our ideas of what Christmas is all about. Its message of charity mercy forbearance and benevolence are as current now as when the great man put pen to paper.”
Co-adaptor Serra added:
“It is a delicious story with deep meanings, an achievement that just few great writers, like Charles Dickens, are able to get.”
The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Dickens’ festive favourite has been the source of many adaptations over the years, including the current hit Old Vic production, the upcoming BBC series, the musical Scrooge, immersive dining versions, a film version featuring The Muppets and numerous adaptations placing Ebenezer Scrooge (or a version of him) everywhere from the Wild West to the world of Bugs Bunny or The Smurfs.
Charlton’s A (One-Man) Christmas Carol was previously seen at the Etcetera Theatre in 2017, when London Pub Theatres described the production as “a delight to watch”.
