Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Angela Harkness Robertson
Performances 29 Nov – 3 Dec, 19:30 Assembly Roxy, Central
(Matinee 14:00 Sat 3 Dec)
Tickets £15 via Assembly Roxy, £13 for EGTG Members
Book online or telephone: 0131 623 3000
We have endeavoured in our faithful adaptation of this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put our audiences out of humour with themselves, with each other, or with the season. May it haunt your houses pleasantly.
EGTG’s no gimmicks, no twists, traditional presentation of Charles Dickens’ enduring tale of redemption at ghostly hands is the perfect way to step into the 2022 festive season. A perennial family favourite, this uplifting production will appeal to all ages. With spectres and spooks to provide chills down the spine, seasonal music to enchant, and the immutable Christmas message of love, hope and charity to warm the heart, there’s something for everyone.
Commenting on bringing the production to the stage, Director Angela Harkness Robertson said: “I’ve loved this story since I was a little girl; it simply isn’t Christmas unless I’ve read it at least once every festive season. I’ve been working on this production for over four years now, being interrupted by the pandemic, and I’m excited finally to put it in front of audiences. There are so many adaptations of this wonderful tale, both on screen and on stages all around the world – testament to its enduring message which transcends time, location, and culture. It has become fashionable to incorporate some sort of slant on the story and more traditional retellings have become quite rare in recent times. It has been my dream for some time to bring as faithful a representation as possible of what’s on the page directly to the stage – and I think we’ve managed to do just that with our multi-talented cast and crew.”
While EGTG’s production aims to be a faithful staging of the original text, lifelong Dickens aficionado Harkness Robertson has incorporated a few Dickensian Easter eggs for fellow enthusiasts to spot and enjoy. Era-appropriate music has also been included, which will delight modern audiences with its familiarity, and will help kick off this year’s festive season with some favourite old-fashioned carols.
As in the original novel, Harkness Robertson’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol for EGTG is essentially a series of separate vignettes, all threaded together by Old Scrooge (played by John Lally) and his various Ghostly Companions. The Assembly Roxy Central provides a perfect atmospheric backdrop for this Victorian time-travelling ghost story, and the thrust staging allows the audience to feel they are part of the action as each scene unfolds. There’s also plenty of space to dance…
A Christmas Carol will run Tuesday 29 November to Saturday 3 December, 19.30 at Assembly Roxy, with an additional matinee performance on 3 December at 14:00.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Angela Harkness Robertson
Performances 29 Nov – 3 Dec, 19:30 Assembly Roxy, Central
(Matinee 14:00 Sat 3 Dec)
Tickets £15 via Assembly Roxy, £13 for EGTG Members
Book online or telephone: 0131 623 3000
Cast list
Chris Allan: Ghost of Christmas Past/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come/Pallbearer
Timothy Bond: Fred/Belle’s husband/Clergyman/Man 1
Alex Card: Bob Cratchit/Merchant 3
Hilary Davies: Charity Lady
Gregor Dickie: Ghost of Christmas Present/Caroline’s husband/Merchant 2
Rosella Elphinstone: Caroline/Belinda Cratchit/Miss Fezziwig
Heidi Fieldhouse: Tiny Tim/“Girl”
Grace Gilbert: Narrator/Fred’s wife
Flora Henderson: Little Fan/Martha Cratchit/Miss Fezziwig
John Lally: Ebeneezer Scrooge
Amber Lipman: Belle/Penelope
Zander Nisbet: Young Scrooge/Topper
Chris Pearson: Marley’s Ghost/Old Joe/Pallbearer
Alice Pelan: Mrs Cratchit/Dick Wilkins
Frank Skelly: Fezziwig/Undertaker/Merchant 1
Jacqueline Wheble: Charwoman/Housekeeper
Beverley Wright: Mrs Dilber/Mrs Fezziwig
Dancing Phantoms
EGTG 