A Christmas Carol to be Shakespeare North's first festive production

Adapted for the stage by writer Nick Lane and brought to life by director Ellie Hurt, this production is Dickens is a fast, furious and whacky musical retelling of the original text but with a distinctly Prescot feel.

Christmas Carol Writer Nick Lane said: “The opportunity to write the first Christmas show at the Shakespeare North Playhouse was something I grasped with both hands - and, if my feet had any kind of grip strength I'd have grasped it with them too.

“It's an amazing theatre in the heart of a town I felt instantly at home in; Prescotians are incredibly welcoming and a number of them really helped me get to know the place. 

“I've repaid their time and their care with something delightfully silly, and I look forward to seeing the Cockpit Theatre filled with excited kids - and yes, I'm going to say 'of all ages' because when it's Christmas I'm just as big a kid as any of them!”

A Christmas Carol features a small but mighty quartet of actor/ musicians. Zoe West as Scrooge, Jessica Dives as Liza Grub, Abigail Middleton as Clara Winks and Eddy Westbury as Pod/Marley. Known as the meanest man in Prescot, Ebeneezer Scrooge would cancel Christmas if he could! That is until one fateful night he is given the fright of his life, as three mysterious visitors make him see that there is more to life than counting out his pennies.

What ensues is a wild and bonkers romp filled with musical nonsense and festive whimsy- there’s even a time worm thrown in for good measure!

This will be the first Christmas production to be staged inside the Cockpit Theatre at Shakespeare North Playhouse, featuring familiar local references and a sprinkling of pantomime fun- it’s one for the whole family to enjoy!

A Christmas Carol will be running at Shakespeare North Playhouse from the November 25 to January 7 2023.

For more information and to book tickets head to shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/a-christmas-carol/ or call our booking line 0300 3034204.