A Christmas Carol Archives - Page 3 of 3

15Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol – Dominion Theatre

With just two weeks of rehearsal, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra's 24 musicians and a small, hardworking cast have created a festive fantasia for all the family against the odds. Sadly, the move of London into tier 3 means this show closes today, along with all others recently opened or reopened. There have been many adaptations of the Dickens novel of Christmas redemption, including a number of musicals. This one, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Mike Ockrent. It is unabashedly sentimental alongside scenes bordering on the horrific. Even in a semi-staged concert version, these elements are not neglected. Ebenezer Scrooge is played in this version by the versatile Brian Conley, a performer who captures both the sardonic monstrosity of the miser and...

Production image released for A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse

11Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Production image released for A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse

New production images released today show the company of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, bringing to life Charles Dickens’ spine-tingling festive story. From ghost lights centre stage, the spirits emerge to share with miser Ebenezer Scrooge the true meaning of this festive time of year. It’s Christmas Eve in Victorian Leeds, but the cold-hearted Scrooge hasn’t shared an ounce of festive cheer. As the cold night draws in, four ghostly spirits take Ebenezer on a magical journey through his past, his present and his future, hoping to show him the error of his ways. With Christmas spirit, fun, music and magic at its heart, this timeless Charles Dickens tale is brought vividly to life. Adapted by award-winning, West Yorkshire born playwright Deborah McAndrew, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is directed by Leeds Pla...

Cast announced for A Christmas Carol at Bolton Octagon

6Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Cast announced for A Christmas Carol at Bolton Octagon

Casting has been announced for a festive broadcast reading of Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Christmas Carol at Bolton Octagon on Sunday 20th December. The classic redemptive tale old miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited on Christmas Eve by three spirits will be read aloud by a team of actors, and broadcast from various locations inside the new theatre. It will also give audiences a sneak peek at the newly refurbished and redesigned town centre venue ahead of its opening in early 2021. The cast includes Coronation Street’s Susan Hilton, John Afzal, Brianna Douglas, Brassic’s Neil Ashton, Colin Meredith, Purvi Parmar, Natalie Amber and Sam Black. “I’m delighted to be working with this fantastic cast of talented actors, all of whom are based locally to the Octagon,”, says the...

Keeping A Christmas Carol safe at Leeds Playhouse

16Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Keeping A Christmas Carol safe at Leeds Playhouse

It’s tough enough directing a big festive show but for Leeds Playhouse’s associate director Amy Leach she also needs to keep the cast and crew safe as they rehearse A Christmas Carol during a national lockdown. They are working in their own bubble where they regularly sanitise their hands, have daily temperature checks and the rehearsal room is fogged clean every weekend. This revival of Deborah McAndrew’s version of the Dickens classic began life at Hull Truck Theatre before becoming a hit in the Playhouse’s pop up theatre they used when the main stages closed for a multi-million refurb. And the need to perform safely has forced the creatives to offer their socially distanced audience a really different show when it opens on December 3 in the Quarry Theatre. “Myself and Hayley Gr...

Casting announced for A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse

31Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Casting announced for A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse have announced the cast for their festive show A Christmas Carol which was a hit in the pop-up theatre created when they closed down for a multi-million pound refurbishment. This time audiences in the Quarry Theatre will be transported back to a traditional Victorian theatre where spectral performers have been patiently waiting for a chance to share a familiar adventure. Jack Lord, last seen at the Playhouse in Oliver Twist, will lead the cast as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who finds redemption after a night from hell. He’ll be joined by Stephen Collins and Nadia Nadarajah playing Bob and Mrs Cratchit. The cast also includes some familiar faces from the Leeds Playhouse Pop-Up theatre ensemble, including Dan Parr as Young Scrooge and Fred, Tessa Parr who played Ham...

A Christmas Carol announced at the Liverpool Playhouse this winter

18Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

A Christmas Carol announced at the Liverpool Playhouse this winter

Christmas is coming…and the Liverpool Playhouse is set to stage a festive treat for Liverpool audiences this winter, with an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive classic A Christmas Carol from 4th – 24th December. A small cast of actors will perform in Patrick Barlow’s (The 39 Steps) witty and joyous adaptation of the 19th century story, directed by Gemma Bodinetz in her final production as Artistic Director of the theatres. Featuring carols and songs, the production is a warm, witty and inventive gift for Liverpool audiences. Making the short trip down from the Everyman, Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto favourite Adam Keast swaps his flares for a nightcap and the Everyman stage for the Playhouse stage, to play Ebenezer Scrooge. Adam will perform alongside other local actors, maintaining social...

Leeds Playhouse is back with a new season and free ticket offer for NHS workers

17Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Leeds Playhouse is back with a new season and free ticket offer for NHS workers

Working with COVID-19 safety guidelines Leeds Playhouse have launched their Autumn/Winter season and are giving away 1000 free tickets to NHS workers for the revival of their critically acclaimed seasonal show A Christmas Carol. This time round playwright Deborah McAndrew’s adaptation of the Dickens festive classic is upgraded to the flagship Quarry Theatre after recreating a warts and all Victorian England during their 2028 Pop-Up Season in 2018. Once again directed by Playhouse Associate Director Amy Leach it runs from 3rd December – 9th January and it will sell out. Another returning work is poet and playwright Zodwa Nyoni’s Nine Lives which debuted at the theatre in 2014. Presented by Leeds Studio this timely and intimate single hander combines humour and humanity in a deep...

21Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Octagon Bolton announces reopening date

After two years the multi-million pounds rebuild at Bolton's Octagon is over and they reopen their doors on Friday 4th December. But theatre goers will have to wait a bit longer to sit in the new auditorium as they are only opening their spanking new Kitchen & Bar, a friendly space for casual eating, drinking and socialising. They will also be hosting some creative workshops, along with a series of festival events. The delay to the building caused by the pandemic, and the lack of a date from the government of when it will be safe for audiences to return without social distancing, means the Octagon have taken the difficult decision to postpone their previously announced productions. Their intriguing new musical version of Charles Dickens’ festive classic A Christmas Carol...