VIDEO: Watch Andrew Lincoln Talk About Starring as Scrooge in OLD VIC: IN CAMERA's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The Old Vic in London, England announced that Andrew Lincoln (AMC's The Walking Dead) will star as Ebenezer Scrooge in this year's Old Vic: IN CAMERA version of Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the festive favorite returns for its fourth year and this time will be streamed live from The Old Vic stage. As with previous Old Vic: IN CAMERA streams, the empty auditorium will be the show's backdrop but this production will be, for the first time in the series, presented as a full-scale show with live musicians, theatrical lighting, set and costumes, and with a cast of 18 performers. In total, 80 freelance creatives, actors and musicians will be employed to create this year's production.

Watch Lincoln discuss the production below!

Cast joining Andrew this year will be, amongst others, Melissa Allan, Rosanna Bates, John Dagleish, Tim van Eyken, Sam Lathwood, Eugene McCoy, Myra McFadyen, Gloria Obianyo, Maria Omakinwa, Golda Rosheuvel, Michael Rouse, Clive Rowe and Sam Townsend. With Rayhaan Kufuor-Gray, Lara Mehmet, Lenny Rush and Eleanor Stollery sharing the role of Tiny Tim.

Matthew Warchus' production of Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol premiered at The Old Vic in 2017 and made its Broadway debut at New York's Lyceum Theatre last year. It's now nominated for five 2020 Tony Awards. A Critic's Pick, the New York Times said, "Jack Thorne and Matthew Warchus have polished the story's social conscience to a restored brightness." And, The Hollywood Reporter raves, "It's an enchanting spectacle designed to enrapture all ages with wonder and delight." Entertainment Weekly said, "you will leave the theater with a heart full of joy and light!"

Director Matthew Warchus said: "When I began my job as Artistic Director five years ago I boldly (naively) put up a neon sign in the lobby radiating Lilian Baylis' favorite quote - "Dare, Always Dare". With those galvanizing words ringing in our ears, I am delighted to announce that Andrew Lincoln has joined us in what must surely be one of the most ambitious and complex pieces of live streamed theatre attempted in the pandemic so far. The Old Vic's A Christmas Carol has moved and entertained over a quarter of a million people in London and New York over the last three Christmases and we made a pledge last spring that we would still present it, in some form or other, even in this most challenging of years. In doing a project of this size we don't expect to be able to make any profit for the theatre but rather we will be continuing our mission of staying connected to audiences of all ages, providing much needed work and income for dozens of freelancers, and generally celebrating the important role live theatre has always played in bringing us together to share amazing stories. I hope you can join us."

The production will play 16 live performances December 12-24, 2020 with 80,000 tickets available throughout the run from £10-£65 (currency exchange rates apply), with all ticket prices offering the same view. Audiences only need to buy one ticket to watch with a group on the same screen; and, if they plan on watching together on the same screen, a group of four could get to experience this production for as little as £2.50 per person or a maximum of £20 per person.

Through staging and pricing the production in this way, The Old Vic hopes that it will breakeven and any profits that are made will go towards funding the charitable activities of The Old Vic: artistic, education and community work that serves its beneficiaries. During the pandemic The Old Vic has seen a 75% reduction in box office income for live performances - its main source of income. Yet its core costs remain, supporting staff and its Grade II* listed building as well as continuing with outreach work within communities who need it more than ever.

As the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic continue we all, now more than ever, feel the need for connection, joy and hope - especially at this time of year. All those who celebrate the festive season will be preparing to do things slightly differently this year and could be facing the prospect of being separated from family and loved ones. Our hope is that we can bring a traditional Old Vic Christmas into thousands of homes across the world connecting families, friends and also strangers through this powerful story and collective experience.

IN CONVERSATION

We are also delighted that on December 17 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 12pm PT (US), radio and television broadcaster Dermot O'Leary will return to host the second of our live Old Vic: IN CONVERSATION series as he is joined by Andrew Lincoln to discuss being part of this year's production.

'THOSE WITH - CAN AFFORD TO SUPPORT THOSE WITHOUT'

We want to bring the show to as many people as possible this year and want to particularly recognize those who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. We are therefore proud to announce that all UK nursing homes and all state schools in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark will receive a free link for the show. Also, this year, despite not being able to fundraise in person, we continue in our commitment and are delighted to announce FoodCycle as our Charity Partner for 2020. FoodCycle provides nutritious meals and conversation to communities across the country. We are also delighted to share that writer Jack Thorne, together with his wife Rachel, has generously pledged to match all A Christmas CarolFoodCycle donations received from the public up to £250,000. We hope this will inspire people to support, and donations can be given directly through foodcycle.org.uk/theoldvic

The Old Vic: IN CAMERA series is made possible thanks to the unwavering support of Royal Bank of Canada as The Old Vic's visionary Principal Partner. Since the beginning of Matthew Warchus' tenure in 2015, RBC has sponsored 31 main stage productions and now, in the face of such challenging times, RBC continues to stand alongside us and support our theatre and our audiences by enabling the delivery of this series. And, thanks to PwC's steadfast generosity through this crisis, we're delighted to be able to make this new artistic initiative widely accessible with a number of PwC £10 Tickets offered across all performances.

A Christmas Carol is supported by Bloomberg.

A version by Jack Thorne

Director Matthew Warchus

Set & Costume Rob Howell

Composer & Arranger Christopher Nightingale

Lighting Hugh Vanstone

Broadcast Sound & Video Simon Baker

Movement Lizzi Gee

Casting Jessica Ronane CDG

Associate Director Jamie Manton

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