A Christmas Carol (2017 play)

A Christmas Carol
Cover of the playtext, featuring Rhys Ifans as Scrooge
Written by	Jack Thorne (play) Charles Dickens (story)
Date premiered	20 November 2017 (2017-11-20)
Place premiered	The Old Vic, London
Original language	English
Setting	London

A Christmas Carol is a play by Jack Thorne based on the 1843 novella of the same name by Charles Dickens.

This version differs from others, in that Scrooge, after his reformation, is reunited with the love of his life, Belle, who ended their engagement in their youth after he was corrupted by greed; after the three spirits have reformed Scrooge, he goes to Belle's house and reunites with her. Belle is happy to learn of his change of heart, but both know that Belle cannot abandon her family. They exchanged Christmas greetings before they part ways.^[1]

Production history[]

The Old Vic, London (2017- present)[]

The adaptation premiered at the Old Vic in London on 20 November 2017, running until 20 January 2018, starring Rhys Ifans as Ebenezer Scrooge. The production is directed by Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus and designed by Rob Howell, with music composed and orchestrated by Chris Nightingale. Notably, the production's design transforms the Old Vic proscenium stage into the round with seating onstage and a walkway going through the centre of the stalls, creating a more immersive environment for the audience and the performers (who greet and hand out mince pies and satsumas to members of the audience before the play begins).

Following the success of the production, it was revived at the Old Vic for the 2018 season (24 November 2018 to 19 January 2019, starring Stephen Tompkinson as Scrooge^[2]) before returning for the 2019 season (23 November 2019 to 18 January 2020, starring Paterson Joseph as Scrooge^[3])

The production was scheduled to return for the 2020 season from 21 November 2020 to 16 January 2021;^[4] however, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the production was performed as part of the Old Vic: In Camera series from 12 to 24 December 2020, being broadcast live from the empty Old Vic auditorium and streamed to audiences via Zoom. Andrew Lincoln starred as Scrooge, with many members of the cast from previous years at the Old Vic returning.

The production is due to return (for audiences to return in person) from 13 November 2021 to 8 January 2022. Stephen Mangan will star as Scrooge.^[5]

Broadway (2019)[]

For the 2019 season, The Old Vic production opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre from November 7, 2019 until January 5, 2020 starring Campbell Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. However unlike the Old Vic, the production was adapted into a traditional proscenium arch setting. The production was due to Broadway for the 2020 season, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic the production was cancelled.^[6]

Dublin (2019)[]

A production ran at the Gate Theatre, Dublin from 15 November 2019 to 18 January 2020 which was directed by Selina Cartmell with set and lighting designed by Ciaran Bagnall and costumes designed by Katie Davenport.^[7]

US tour (2021)[]

The production will tour the US opening at the First Interstate Center for the Arts, Spokane, Washington from November 12 to 13, 2021 followed by The Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona (November 18-21), The Smith Center, Las Vegas (November 23-28), Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco (November 26-December 26) and the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles (November 30 to January 1, 2022). Bradley Whitford will star as Scrooge at all cities excluding San Francisco, with Francois Battiste starring as Scrooge in San Francisco.

Cast and characters[]

List of carols used[]

• God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
• It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
• Il est né, le divin Enfant
• I Saw Three Ships
• Wassail! Wassail! All Over the Town
• O Holy Night
• In the Bleak Midwinter
• Ding Dong Merrily on High
• Coventry Carol
• See, amid the Winter's Snow
• Joy to the World
• Silent Night

Awards and nominations[]

References[]