A Scouse Christmas Carol – Liverpool’s Royal Court
It may not be what Dickens had in mind when he wrote A Christmas Carol but A Scouse Christmas Carol directed by Mark Chatterton hits the mark providing laughter and mischief in the Royal Courts festive offering. Kevin Fearon has taken the traditional story by Charles Dickens shaken it up and given us a mix of ghosts, live music, humour and a murder mystery all delivered with heart, wit, warmth and festive fun. We laughed from the very first minute.
Victorian London is brought to life with a beautiful cleverly designed set which makes full use of the revolving stage and the lighting sets the night time scenes. The live band are fantastic and a huge part of the show.
Jacob Marley is dead but who has killed him? His widow, Barbara, (Lindzi Germain) is determined to find out and has one man in her sight but can she make him confess to the crime? Scrooge (Paul Duckworth) has a cold heart and is fixated on making money but also has a lost love that he has never spoken of. Bob Scratchitt (Lenny Wood) is Scrooge’s lowly clerk who is always on the verge of being sacked and has a family to support including his youngest son Tiny Tim. Bob together with his wife Emily (Helen Carter), Barbara and her son Freddie (Adam McCoy) decide they are going to try and get Scrooge to see the error of his ways and become a better person. Bob’s niece Clara (Jhanaica Van Mook) also joins in as they come up with a plot to change Scrooge for the better.
All of the local cast are fantastic and engage so well with the audience. Keddy Sutton plays a number of parts including the town crier and the housekeeper and each part is played with relish and a twinkle in her eye. Paul Duckworth as Scrooge and Lindzi Germain as Barbara are outstanding and enjoy themselves as much as we do.
A Scouse twist on a Christmas classic and a fantastic cast meant the audience left still laughing.
The season of good cheer has begun!
Playing from 11th November 2025 – 17th January 2026 with BSL Performances on 25/11/25 and 6/1/26. For grown-ups only 16+
Reviewer: Ann Smith
Reviewed: 13th November 2025
North West End UK Rating: