Neil Bartlett's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Plays the Old Red Lion, Now thru Jan 3

Metal Rabbit Productions, in association with Old Red Lion Theatre, present Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Neil Bartlett. Performances run at the Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ, tonight 10th December 2014 through Saturday 3rd January 2015. Press Night: Saturday 13th December 2014, 9.30pm.

Using only Charles Dickens' extraordinary words and an ensemble of six actors, Neil Bartlett's A Christmas Carol is a bold theatrical reimagining of the classic Christmas story. Through this amazing re-working Barlett pulls to the forefront qualities of love, compassion and forgiveness in a totally new slant on Dickens.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a man who has everything; a thriving business, a house of his own in a popular part of London and a huge stash of money he wants to keep for himself. Best of all, it's Christmas Eve and he's about to be visited by his old friend Jacob Marley. The only problem is that Marley is dead. Dead as a door-nail. Scrooge is about to be dragged on a ride through the snowy and uncertain landscapes of Christmas past, present and yet to come. What is to be seen cannot be forgotten.

You will be haunted by three spirits. Expect the first tomorrow when the bell... tolls... God bless us, every... One.

Dickens' quintessential story of ghosts, greed and goodwill is given boisterous new life in this chilling, contemporary, fresh production. Here, the ensemble play all the roles - singing, creating sound effects and new stage configurations through their invigorating physicality. Metal Rabbit (Johnny Got His Gun, Fiesta) and director Gus Miller (The Picture of John Gray) bring you the ultimate Christmas story, unwrapped and stripped-back for today.

Director, Gus Miller says 'A Christmas Carol is one of our best-loved stories for good reason. It's vivid, joyous, moving and at times it's downright scary. Its impact is so powerful that it's responsible for much of today's Christmas tradition. With an inventive company of actors we're exploring how we can bring the frosty London of Victorian times to life on stage and how we can make Scrooge's story of redemption speak directly to today's unequal and isolating world.'

Old Red Lion Theatre becomes the Christmas destination this December with Charming - A Farcical Fairy Tale running before A Christmas Carol. This hilarious 'Charming Alternative to Panto' will appeal to grownups who have learnt that life is not quite the fairy tale they were led to believe.

DETAILS:

A Christmas Carol, adapted by Neil Bartlett

Wednesday 10th December 2014 - Saturday 3rd January 2015

Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees, 4pm

Running Time: 90 minutes

Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ, www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk.

Tickets are available, priced £14 (£12.50 concessions); previews - £10

Available from Old Red Lion Theatre Box Office and online or 0844 412 4307.

The nearest underground station is Angel (on the Bank branch of the Northern line). The nearest rail station is Kings Cross St Pancras.

Gus Miller - Gus Miller is the Artistic Director of Fine Frenzy Theatre for whom he directed The Comedy of Errors and Vessel, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013 and subsequently showed at the Curve, Leicester and the New Diorama. Most recently Gus directed the critically- acclaimed The Picture of John Gray at the Old Red Lion. Assistant directing includes the UK premiere of Tracy Letts' Superior Donuts and the World Premiere of Philip Ridley's Feathers in the Snow. Gus has trained with Living Pictures and the Young Vic.

Metal Rabbit Productions - Metal Rabbit Productions was established in 2012 by George Warren. Its first production was Ernest Hemingway's Fiesta in February 2013, a co-production with Oiffy at the Trafalgar Studios, followed by Johnny Got His Gun in May 2014 at the Southwark Playhouse and national tour autumn, 2014. The company is run by producers Martha Rose Wilson and George Warren.

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