As part of her ongoing post-show talk series, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock heads to a Charles Dickens’ show in December… that isn’t A Christmas Carol! Got any questions for the team behind The Signalman at the Old Red Lion Theatre?
NEWS: Paterson Joseph to star in A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
Paterson Joseph (Peep Show, Green Wing) is to star as Ebenezer Scrooge in Matthew Warchus’ big-hearted, hit production of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol returns on 4 December 2019,
NEWS: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Alan Cumming & Daniel Radcliffe feature in new Old Vic season
Details of Matthew Warchus’ Season 5 at The Old Vic Theatre have been announced. Highlights include:
Claire Foy and Matt Smith making their Old Vic debuts in Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs and Alan Cumming and Daniel Radcliffe starring in a double bill of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame and Rough for Theatre ll.
NEWS: Barn Theatre Cirencester’s new season includes comic thriller The 39 Steps & musical Daddy Long Legs
Winner of Best Fringe Theatre in the 2019 Stage Awards, The Barn Theatre has announced its line-up of five in-house productions for the upcoming 2019 season, including Michael Morpurgo’s The Butterfly Lion, Shakespeare’s Henry V, a brand new production of the comic thriller The 39 Steps, the award-winning musical Daddy Long Legs and a reimagining of Charles Dickens’ festive masterpiece A Christmas Carol.
‘There is greatness striding through the heart of it all’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Bristol ★★★★★
There is greatness striding through the heart of Bristol Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol and it comes in the shape of Felix Hayes’ Ebenezer Scrooge.
‘Flawless & unique’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Arts Theatre ★★★★★
Simon Callow’s telling of A Christmas Carol at the Arts Theatre is theatrical perfection. A solo performance, aided only by subtly ingenious projections and the occasional, immaculately timed sound effect, sees Callow deliver Dickens’ classic festive fable in an 80-minute acting masterclass.
‘If anything the sincerity has deepened’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Arts Theatre ★★★★★
Has the performance of A Christmas Carol, and Simon Callow, changed over the years? Probably, but not from ego or bravura, no cheap tricks, no knowing modernities: if anything the sincerity has deepened.
‘Dickens, 175 years on, has done it again’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★★
David Edgar’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed as last year by Rachel Kavanaugh, gives the old story of ghosts and redemption deft additions and expanded scenes
‘The vocal delights on offer are second to none’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – West End ★★★★★
The London Musical Theatre Orchestra is fast becoming a staple part of my Christmas tradition, with the company’s glorious performances of A Christmas Carol really bringing the joy and festivity of the season to life, and of course, providing a wonderful night of top quality musical theatre.
Looking for some alternative festive fare? Debbie has some recommendations…
As you know, Mind the Blog is a Panto-Free Zone – but what if you want to find some alternative festive fare? Whether it’s family fun or something a little more grown-up, we have a selection of seasonal offerings (old and new) that might be of use to you.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic
Jack Thorne’s version of the classic festive story A Christmas Carol returns to the Old Vic Theatre with Stephen Tompkinson as Scrooge. Here’s what critics have made of it…
Christmas shows and all who sail in them
This year, for the first time in decades, I decided that I’d choose my own Christmas shows and arrange to review them rather than waiting for editors to impose them on me. And I’m having a lovely December so far.
‘Joyously festive to experience’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Chickenshed Theatre
A Christmas Carol at Chickenshed is theatre for everyone, by everyone – and if it doesn’t get your Christmas spirit going, then frankly I suspect nothing will.
‘I hope it comes back every year’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Vic ★★★★★
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic is, if possible, even finer and more heartfelt and gripping, tuneable and serious and moving than last year.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in December 2018?
Opening in London this month is the transfer of the NT’s Nine Night (now at Trafalgar Studios), Jailbirds at the Etcetera Theatre, Pinocchio at The Albany, One For The Road at the Rosemary Branch, Orpheus at Battersea Arts Centre and Pinter 5 & 6 will arrive at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
‘Something to enjoy wherever your gaze lands’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Chickenshed Theatre
A Christmas Carol with a supporting cast of 200? A Christmas Carol with four alternating casts of 200, involving as many in making Christmas as possible, with the maximum social benefit? I can’t think of anything more in the spirit of Dickens, or of Christmas.
‘Proves to be a magical evening of storytelling’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Touring
It’s such a wonderful idea to re-create a Dickens reading. With John O’Connor’s skill, this proves to be a magical evening of storytelling. A thoroughly fun Victorian Christmas experience!
RECOMMENDATIONS: Seven of the best shows opening in December
December can be a slightly overwhelming time to pick a show to go and see – luckily Love London Love Culture has selected seven of the very best opening next month…
Northern Stage finds inspiration in Peaky Blinders & Great Gatsby for its production of A Christmas Carol
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.
NEWS: Simon Callow’s one-man show A Christmas Carol returns to the West End in December
The traditional Christmas staple of Charles Dickens’ much-loved A Christmas Carol returns this festive season to the West End stage starring Simon Callow, running at the Arts Theatre for a strictly limited season from 8 December 2018 to 12 January 2019.