A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY
SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER AT 2.30PM
FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER AT 7PM
CONTENTS
Here is a list of key information you will find inside this Access Pack. Unless stated otherwise, all photos are taken by Ellie Kurttz
What You Need To Know Content Advice Our Space
Cast List
Visual Story
Thank You
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story is Mark Gatiss’ spooky adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale.
The story is set in Victorian London on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve.
Mean-spirited Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Bound in chains, Marley explains that Scrooge will be visited by three spirits who show him the error of his ways.
The performance will run for approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes with an interval. Recommended for people aged 12+.
CONTENT ADVICE
Themes
Please note this production is highly sensory with flashing lights and jump-scares. These have been reduced for this show, but it may still feel a little bit spooky.
The production contains themes of death and mentions ghosts and hauntings frequently.
CONTENT ADVICE
Lighting & Sound
We have removed flashing light effects from this production, as well as limiting loud noises where possible. But please be aware that some video and lighting effects will be present during the show.
This production will contain strong moving and coloured lighting and video. When you see the light symbol in the Visual Storyboard section, the scene contains strong lighting. This production has some spooky moments which might have some loud noises. When you see a bell symbol in the Visual Storyboard, there may be some louder than usual noises.
You are invited to bring your ear defenders, dark glasses or anything else that might help you enjoy the show. Speak to our Front of House Staff if you’d like to borrow some ear defenders or dark glasses.
= strong lighting = loud noises
OUR SPACE
Our new front door is located on Centenary Square, shown here:
Our Box Office (left) and Foyer (right) are shown here:
We have a Chill Out Space available for you to use at any time during your visit. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to use this space.
CAST LIST
Matthew Cottle plays Ebenezer Scrooge
Karendip Phull plays Caroline
Rufus Hound plays Jacob Marley
Lance West plays Fred
Geoffrey Beevers plays Narrator
Taylor plays Belle
Oscar Batterham plays Bob Cratchit
Hogg-Robinson plays Ghost of Christmas Past
Kalifa
Grace
CAST LIST (CONTINUED)
Mark Theodore plays Ghost of Christmas Present
Ryan Weston plays Tiny Tim
Olivia-Faith Kamau is On Stage Swing & Dance Captain
Iverson Yabut is On Stage Swing
CAST LIST (CONTINUED)
Takunda Khumalo is Edwin Cratchit is
This Cast List shows the main character each actor is playing, but most of the actors play more than one character. To show this, they may change the way they use their voice and the way they move, as well as their costume.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Relaxed Performances will be a more informal performance environment.
This means that:
Some sound and lighting levels will be reduced.
The houselights will remain on at a low level.
Auditorium doors will remain open to allow free flow in or out of the auditorium. You’re welcome to leave and return at any time.
Our front of house staff will show you where everything is and help if you have any questions
A chill-out space is available for you to use at any time during your visit, ask a member of staff and they can take you there.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Scrooge and Marley’s office on Christmas Eve.
Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley are both in a very bad mood and do not like Christmas.
Their clerk, Bob Cratchit, leaves to post some letters before heading home to celebrate Christmas.
Jacob Marley dies at his desk. This is just pretend.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
It’s Christmas Eve seven years later, and Scrooge is visited by his nephew, Fred, who is feeling very festive. Scrooge refuses an invitation to go to dinner with them and Fred leaves the office.
Scrooge is then visited by two ladies, Mrs Boone and Miss Dimple, who are fundraising for the poor. Scrooge refuses to give them any money and asks them to leave.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Scrooge and Bob leave work for the day. On his walk home, Scrooge encounters a blind man who is begging with his dog. The dog, who is a puppet, barks to stop Scrooge stealing some money.
When Scrooge gets home, he sees the face of Jacob Marley in his door knocker. This is a spooky moment.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
There are lots of spooky goings-on in Scrooge’s home. Bells ring and strange noises can be heard as if Scrooge’s house is haunted.
Marley’s ghost appears to Scrooge dragging heavy chains behind him. Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three spirits. This makes Scrooge feel scared.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Upon Marley’s exit from Scrooge’s bedroom, ghost puppets appear from the auditorium and the stage.
Some of these puppets fly very close to the audience and may seem frightening. The puppets are controlled by the cast, who are all very friendly.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
As the bell strikes one, the Ghost of Christmas Past appears and takes Scrooge back to his childhood. This is a spooky moment as an eerie light seems to appear from the ghost.
Scrooge has a glimpse into his school days. He meets his schoolteacher, his younger self and his younger sister, Fan. Although Scrooge can see these people, they can’t see him.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Scrooge is taken to meet his former employer, Mr Fezziwig. He is having his annual Christmas party where Scrooge sees his younger self meeting his first love, Belle. There is moments of loud music and dancing in this scene.
Belle breaks off her engagement to Young Scrooge as he is too obsessed with working and earning money to give his time to their relationship.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Scrooge doesn’t want to see anymore of his past and returns back to his bedroom.
The Ghost of Christmas Present makes a very grand entrance. Scrooge is nervous about what this ghost will show him.
On his first stop, they go out onto the streets of London.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to visit Belle, her husband and children. They are happily decorating their Christmas tree.
Scrooge then watches over Bob Cratchit and his family enjoying their Christmas day dinner. This scene is very happy.
There are noises of cultery and plates being hit together in a short movement section.
INTERVAL
There will now be an interval.
You can: Leave your seats to use the toilet
Buy some refreshments from the Café Bar
Use our chill-out space
Visit the cloakroom to look at our merchandise and programmes
Stay in your seats if you prefer
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Scrooge watches his nephew, Fred, play Bindman's Buff and other party games with Polly, Topper, Caroline. They say things about Scrooge which aren’t very nice. This makes him feel sad.
The Ghost of Christmas Present suddenly grows old and two children appear from his robes, Ignorance and Want. These are puppets and they look at bit spooky as you can see in the picture.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come visits Scrooge.
This is very spooky moment as we can’t see the face of the ghost.
We can hear the ghost making strange, raspy noises. This is created by our brilliant sound department.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
The Ghost shows Scrooge all the people who will benefit from his death. They visit a dismal part of London where he meets a charwoman, a laundress, an undertaker and Old Joe who are selling Scrooge’s possessions.
Mr and Mrs Boswick are also pleased that Scrooge has died as they no longer need to repay their debt.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
In the Cratchit home, the family are all very sad following Tiny Tim’s death. Although this is a sad moment, it isn’t real and it is showing Scrooge what will happen if he doesn’t change his mean ways.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
A graveyard at night-time. Scrooge is shown a tombstone with his name on it. This is a very spooky moment with the whole cast on stage and eerie lighting.
Jacob Marley is revealed to be the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Scrooge returns to his home. He wakes up on Christmas morning and realises he is still alive. He acknowledges the error of his ways. He starts laughing and doesn’t know what to do with himself.
Scrooge tells a passing boy to buy a prize turkey which he will gift to the Cratchit family as a surprise. The turkey arrives and it’s huge!
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Scrooge runs into Mrs Boone in the street and gives her a huge donation to make up for his years without charity. He also sees Belle in the crowd and waves to her.
The cast sing the Christmas carol “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” together. This may be a loud moment as the cast sing in harmony.
Scrooge goes to Christmas dinner at his nephew Fred’s, house and they are all very happy.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Back at his office, Scrooge waives Mr Bonniface’s debt and actually gives him some extra money.
Bob Cratchit arrives late for work and instead of telling him off, Scrooge agrees to raise his salary.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
A crowd of children sit at the Narrator’s feet. A woman calls ‘Timothy!’ and we realise that the Narrator is a grown-up Tiny Tim.
All of the characters enjoy their Christmas dinner together.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
The cast have now finished telling the story and playing their parts.
The full cast come together for a final bow. There may be some extra noise as the audience may clap loudly and cheer for the actors.
Photo credit: Kris Askey