The Old Vic to Offer Online Stream of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to Residential Care Homes

The Old Vic has announced that the OLD VIC: IN CAMERA digital archive of Matthew Warchus’ smash hit production of A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), will be offered to residential care homes for adults and children nationwide for free across two online streams in December 2023. 

The production will be streamed on Monday 11 December, 2.30pm and Wednesday 13 December, 2.30pm, and available for all UK-based residential care homes and facilities, subject to availability. Audiences only need to book one ticket to watch with a group on the same device.

The Old Vic has been granted special permission to re-share a recording of one of its OLD VIC: IN CAMERA – A Christmas Carol performances which was originally streamed live in 2020 to over 40,000 households and over 2,400 care homes as part of its award-winning series. When applying you’ll be asked to provide your care home’s care quality commission, care inspectorate or regulation and quality improvement authority number.

The 2020 cast featured Andrew Lincoln as Scrooge, Melissa Allan as Little Fan, Rosanna Bates as Jess, John Dagleish as Bob Cratchit, Tim van Eyken as Nicholas, Julie Jupp as Ghost of Christmas Past, Sam Lathwood as Ferdy, Eugene McCoy as Fred, Gloria Obianyo as Belle, Maria Omakinwa as Mrs Cratchit, Golda Rosheuvel as Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs Fezziwig, Michael Rouse as Father/Marley, Clive Rowe as Fezziwig and Samuel Townsend as Young Ebenezer/George. Tiny Tim will be played in this performance by Lara Mehmet, the other Tiny Tims in that year were Rayhaan Kufuor-Gray, Lenny Rush and Eleanor Stollery. 

For more information, or to organise links for your care home, visit oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/acc-playback.

Matthew Warchus, Artistic Director of The Old Vic and Director of A Christmas Carol said: 

‘I am delighted that, through these special Playback streams, we are able to bring A Christmas Carol into residential care homes across the UK. The OLD VIC: IN CAMERA series was my impulsive response to the theatre’s closure during lockdown in order to sustain the crucial sense of connection that live theatre can bring. Three years on, it’s so good to be able to share this uplifting production with adults and children in care homes throughout the country who might otherwise be unable to visit us in person. I want to extend a special thanks to the cast and creative team for enthusiastically supporting this endeavour and making Old Vic Playback: A Christmas Carol for Carers possible.’

Jack Thorne, Writer of A Christmas Carol said:

‘My Mum worked in a care home and would work Christmas Day so we’d go over and hang out. To share our mad sprouts with them this Christmas and next and next too feels very special indeed.’

With special thanks to Jack Thorne for supporting the Old Vic Playback: A Christmas Carol for Carers.

Photo Credit: The Company in OLD VIC: IN CAMERA - A Christmas Carol by Manuel Harlan