A Christmas Carol

What is A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic about?

Charles Dickens' story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser visited on Christmas Eve by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come and given one night to change his ways. Jack Thorne's adaptation puts the warmth of the novella centre stage, filling the auditorium with live carols, music and a generous helping of mince pies along the way.

Who created this production of A Christmas Carol?

The adaptation is by Jack Thorne, the writer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and the production is directed by Matthew Warchus, whose credits include Matilda The Musical. Christopher Nightingale composes and arranges the score, threading familiar carols through the action, with set and costume design by Rob Howell, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and movement by Lizzi Gee.

When is A Christmas Carol running in 2026?

The production returns for its tenth consecutive Christmas season, running from 12 November 2026 to 9 January 2027, with previews from 12 to 23 November. Performances last around two hours including a 20 minute interval, and the show carries an age guidance of 8 and above. It has become London's longest running stage adaptation of the story, and festive performances tend to sell quickly, so booking ahead is sensible.

Visiting The Old Vic

The Old Vic sits on The Cut in SE1, two minutes on foot from both Waterloo and Southwark stations, with Waterloo East around five minutes away. Audio described, captioned, British Sign Language interpreted and relaxed performances are scheduled across the run; contact the theatre to discuss access requirements. Browse showtimes for A Christmas Carol on tickadoo, or explore more London theatre tickets for the rest of your festive plans.