A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic) London Reviews and Tickets

92%

(70 Ratings)

Positive

99%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Enchanting, Delightful, Entertaining, Absorbing, Clever

About the Show

Scrooge, visited by Marley's ghost, warned of eternal damnation if he doesn't change.

Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy but miserly businessman, is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, on Christmas Eve. Marley warns Scrooge that he will suffer a fate of eternity in damnation if he does not change his cruel ways. Throughout the night, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. They show him his past, present, and future, highlighting the consequences of his selfish behavior.

This stage adaptation by Jack Thorne ('Harry Potter and the Cursed Child') with direction by Matthew Warchus returns to The Old Vic.

This production is recommended for ages 8+.

Show-Score Member Reviews (63)

100

Must see, Epic, Delightful, Clever, Absorbing

See it if You live theatre and entertainment and Christmas and a great spirit

Don't see it if You don’t like absorbing, sometimes immersive theatre.

Great acting, Refreshing, Entertaining, Enchanting, Delightful

See it if you’d love the story of A Christmas Carol told in a creative way.

Don't see it if you’re sick of A Christmas Carol.

Must see, Great staging, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if you like Dickens and a moving piece of festive cheer. I'm not usually a Christmassy person, but I loved it.

Don't see it if you don't like A Christmas Carol or Christmas in general.

100

Entertaining, Ambitious, Masterful, Great staging, Absorbing

See it if you want to get Christmassy. This show is staggeringly good. The music and singing really sweep you away but the whole spectacle I loved.

Don't see it if Christmas ain't your bag.

Enchanting, Delightful, Ambitious, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Loved that it was in the round and included audience. Great staging, costuming, acting and music.

Don't see it if Can’t think of owt!

Delightful, Great staging, Great singing, Great acting, Entertaining

See it if You enjoy Christmas as it gets you in the mood for the festive season

Don't see it if You do not enjoy musicals

100

Must see, Great staging, Funny, Enchanting

See it if you love Christmas and the Charles Dickens classic. THE definitive stage production, it's beautiful and touching and joyous.

Don't see it if you're expecting Rizzo the Rat

100

Epic, Great staging, Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if You love a Christmas tradition

Don't see it if you don't like Charles dickens

Critic Reviews (28)

For a previous production

Jack Thorne’s version of the familiar tale is richly textured and shamelessly emotive, full of song and heart. This year’s staging feels shorter and more hard-hitting than the 2017 original and 2018 reprise.
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For a previous production

"This show’s familiarity aside, the cupboard for five-star Scrooges is now looking a touch bare."
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For a previous production

It begins and ends well. Yet there’s a Dickens-sized hole in the middle. Using multiple narrators from the cast is a distraction. There are some delightful touches, though.
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For a previous production

It's a very 21st century take on the classic … it oddly has the effect of making Dickens more sentimental and more moralising than he is. It also seems to strip some of his anger out of the tale, rendering it more ... easily palatable.
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For a previous production

"It is all ... both magical and evocative of the celebratory season. It is also one of those productions where everything ... comes together to create an absorbing and assured telling of a story that has arguably become over-familiar."
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For a previous production

Warchus enveloped a bustling production within the embrace of an audience held rapt at every turn. Composer and arranger Christopher Nightingale (a current Tony Award nominee for his score for this show) merits the highest praise.
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For a previous production

"As the auditorium erupts in the final sequence into song, dance, snow, and merriment, one’s joy is tempered only by the prospect of its absence. That duality sends playgoers tearfully into the night, their empathy reinforced just as Scrooge himself is spiritually restored."
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For a previous production

“I've seen all the various Scrooges...including a memorable Covid-era turn from Andrew Lincoln performed within an empty theatre. But Eccleston brings a near-maniacal intensity to the part that is quite something to experience. You might think you know all the notes that exist to be sounded in arguably the most extraordinary exercise in character-conversion ever.”
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Trailer

Creative team