A complete guide to all the ‘A Christmas Carol’ shows in London

Each year, theatres across London deck their stages with enough Christmas decorations to be seen from space. There's shows suitable for all occasions too, including star-studded pantomimes, Nativity retellings, and seasonal comedies. One story has elevated itself to become a "must-see" to really make December complete: A Christmas Carol.

Charles Dickens's festive tale is perhaps one of the most famous stories of all time. Set on Christmas Eve, the story follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he's met by three ghosts over the course of one night. Whisked on a time-travelling adventure to confront his way of life, he eventually changes for the better. Each year, there's a multitude of A Christmas Carol productions around the city, all adapting this well-known classic into a Yuletide extravaganza. 2022 is no exception, with many A Christmas Carol shows in the West End.

Here's our guide to A Christmas Carol shows in London in 2022.

A Christmas Carol - Old Vic
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol - Queen Elizabeth Hall
A Christmas Carol - Rose Theatre Kingston
A Christmas Carol - Bridge Theatre
Ghosted - Another F**king Christmas Carol - The Other Palace Studio
A Sherlock Carol - Marylebone Theatre
A Pissedmas Carol - Leicester Square Theatre

Is A Christmas Carol a play or a musical?

In A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, audiences can expect to hear original music, conceived and created by Christopher Nightingale. Over at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is a musical. The show features music by Dolly Parton. Ghosted will include music.

A Christmas Carol at the Rose Theatre Kingston is a play with additional music by Eamonn O'Dwyer, while A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre, A Sherlock Carol and A Pissedmas Carol are straight plays.

Are they all new productions of A Christmas Carol?

The Old Vic will be home to A Christmas Carol for the sixth consecutive year. Dickens's story was adapted by Jack Thorne and directed by Matthew Warchus. In 2019, this production of A Christmas Carol transferred to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre and won five Tony Awards.

Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol in London marks the show's UK premiere. However, the show premiered at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre in 2019. The original cast starred Pete Colburn as Ebenezer Scrooge.

A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre premiered in 2020, with two of its original cast returning to the show.

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's adaptation of A Christmas Carol at Rose Theatre Kingston, Ghosted, A Sherlock Carol, and A Pissedmas Carol are all new for 2022.

Who is playing Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol?

Owen Teale will play Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic in 2022. Audiences will recognise Teale from hit television shows such as Line of Duty and Game of Thrones. He's also a Tony-winning actor too, having starred in A Doll's House and No Man's Land alongside Patrick Stewart. Find out more about Owen Teale in A Christmas Carol.

Simon Russell Beale, Eben Figueiredo and Lyndsey Marshal share all the roles in A Christmas Carol, including Ebenezer Scrooge. Robert Bathurst takes on Scrooge duties in Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol.

When does each production of A Christmas Carol open in London?

A Christmas Carol 2023 performances are not scheduled yet. Check back here to find out the latest information on A Christmas Carol.

Photo credit: Christmas candle (Photo by Mariana B. on Unsplash)