Northern Stage is taking its inspiration from Peaky Blinders for a new production of Charles Dickens’ classic story of ghosts, greed and goodwill, A Christmas Carol.
Director Mark Calvert told Stage Review: “Neil Bartlett’s adaptation stays true to the original with all the characters we know and love, but we’ve had great fun setting our version in the 1920s.
“Rhys Jarman has taken inspiration from Peaky Blinders and the Great Gatsby for the set and costume design, and Hannabiell Sanders’ music breathes new life into Christmas carols with a fantastic jazz sound. It’s going to be joyful and magical – shows just don’t get any more Christmassy than A Christmas Carol.”
A Christmas Carol will star Nick Figgis as Scrooge. His work in theatre includes War Horse in the West End, Deep Blue Sea at the National Theatre, Dog Boy at Manchester Royal Exchange, and Bouncers at York Theatre Royal. His TV credits include Casualty, Skins, Byker Grove and Our Friends in the North. He is also a resident actor with Actors for Human Rights.
Figgis said: “My family moved to Newcastle when I was 12 and it was at Heaton Manor School, encouraged by a brilliant drama teacher, Mr Tilley, that I first started thinking seriously about acting.
“I love this city and I can’t say how much I’m looking forward to sharing my favourite Christmas story here… and it means I won’t miss my mother’s legendary Christmas dinner this year, so thanks for that!”
He is joined by a cast of actor-musicians including Tim Dalling (James and the Giant Peach, Northern Stage); Clara Darcy (Alice in Wonderland, Northern Stage); Rachel Dawson (The Jungle Book, UK tour); Craig Fairbairn (Animal Farm, Northern Stage); William Pennington (Treasure Island, New Vic); and Hannabiell Sanders; plus a chorus of six performance students from Newcastle College.
A Christmas Carol will run from December 1 – January 5.
