Confession time – this is my third time watching A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, and it won’t be my last. Every single time, this play leaves me feeling so full of happiness. Even though it’s not quite December yet, I was more than ready to start the festivities early, and Jack Thorne’s adaptation was the perfect way to kick things off. I was genuinely excited to return to the Old Vic’s infamous annual Christmas sellout.
From the moment you arrive, the magic begins. Ushers greet you with free mince pies and satsumas, and the cast welcomes audience members as they find their seats. It instantly sets the tone and creates that warm, nostalgic Christmas atmosphere, beautifully supported by the props and staging.
The play tells the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge (Paul Hilton), a mean-spirited, selfish old man who despises Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge snaps at his employee Bob Cratchit (Rob Compton), refuses to give to charity, and dismisses his nephew’s invitation to join him for Christmas Day.
That night, everything changes. Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner followed by the three iconic spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past (Annie Wensak) and the Ghost of Christmas Present (Kibong Tanji.
The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back through his earlier Christmases and forces him to confront painful memories of his lonely childhood and his strict father (Stuart Neal). The Ghost of Christmas Present shows him Bob Cratchit’s humble family life, including the beloved Tiny Tim, who is desperately ill but still filled with hope. Scrooge also witnesses the joy of his nephew Fred’s celebrations. Finally, he is shown a glimpse of his future, a chilling vision of what awaits him if he continues down his current path.
Although the story itself hasn’t changed, I loved Matthew Warchus’s direction. With a phenomenal cast, minimal set design, clever sound effects, and imaginative use of props, this really might be my favourite version yet.
There were so many standout elements. Rob Howell’s stage design is impressive. The show is performed in the round, and if you’re in the front row, you could practically reach out and touch the cast. There’s no traditional raised stage at all – the actors perform at floor level with the audience, creating an intimate, immersive experience and giving everyone an incredibly clear view of the action.
The props were used so creatively too. Hanging lamps shimmered and moved with the energy of the ghosts, and wooden frames seamlessly transformed into walls, doors, and tunnels. I also loved the musical touches – the cast ringing bells and singing traditional carols alongside a talented live orchestra.
The interactive nature of the play is one of the things that makes it so special. From the moment you step inside and are greeted by fully costumed actors, right through to the end where audience members are invited on stage for a full Christmas feast, the whole auditorium becomes part of the story. And yes, there was even snow falling from the sky, although not so great for my silk press!
The cast was fantastic. Every actor was talented, engaging and full of life. I especially appreciated how diverse the cast was, which is still something many theatres shy away from with classic plays. Both the Ghost of Christmas Present (Kibong Tanji) and Belle (Tanisha Spring), who is Scrooge’s love interest, were played by talented Black actors, which I loved to see.
A Christmas Carol was superb! The story was beautifully told and visually stunning. I enjoyed every single second and felt it warm my heart instantly, especially at the end when audience members were encouraged to donate to a local food bank. It was a lovely touch that mirrored how much Scrooge’s newfound generosity transformed the people around him.
Can’t wait to watch it again next year!
NEED TO KNOW: A Christmas Carol plays at The Old Vic until 10 Jan 2026
