'Could this fit into your church's Christmas?'

David Kirkland of North Cheam Baptist Church is performing a one man show based around A Christmas Carol. He explains more

'I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves or with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly' - Charles Dickens

This is from the preface to possibly the most well-known Christmas story after the nativity – A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It has spawned many versions, on TV, film and stage, and this year, there is a new version; a one-man show that seeks to get to the heart of the story, and presents us with other 20 characters – some very familiar, some less well known.

Going from Ebenezer Scrooge’s counting house, to the encounters with the various ghosts, and showing us the highs and lows of Scrooge and the people around him, the story is followed to its startling conclusion, and the promise of new life that is offered to Scrooge.

I have previously been part of a storytelling group which sought to promote the oral tradition of storytelling, and this production develops that tradition further. Dickens himself would travel around the country doing public readings of this story, as well as excerpts from his other books, and I seek to present this very familiar story in a similar way.

Simply staged, and letting the text speak for itself, I hope audiences will connect with the story in a new and vital way. Ebenezer Scrooge, at the end of the story, after he has been presented with his own mortality, realises that he needs to change; that there has to be a redemption. While not a Christian story, it carries themes that we are very familiar.

This production was first performed in 2021 at the Lantern Arts Centre in Raynes Park, near Wimbledon, and I hope it will become a new Christmas tradition for churches in the South West London area, and beyond. The production will return to the Lantern Arts Centre this December, and I'm looking to get more churches to book this performance as part of their Christmas schedule – it is already booked for one church, and David is I'm seeking opportunities to bring this story to more churches. Could it fit into your Christmas?


‘Dickens’ brilliant book is brought to life by a powerful performance from David Kirkland and confident direction from Dave King. The production benefits from a real understanding of both the atmosphere and arc of this famous, festive tale and it’s almost impossible not to be transported to Victorian London. Impressive theatrical storytelling and a real Christmas treat.’ Amy Phillips, Artistic Director, Lantern Arts Centre
 

If you would like to book this show for your church or venue this Christmas, or would just like more information, contact achristmascarolbooking@gmail.com