Simon Callow returns to A Christmas Carol at the Arts Theatre

Charles Dickens' festive treat A Christmas Carol returns to London.

Simon Callow will return to the West End in his one-man version of Charles Dickens' festive staple A Christmas Carol at the Arts Theatre for a strictly limited season from 8 December to 7 January, with press night on Thursday 15 December.

The production, which has previously been seen in London in 2011 and 2012, is based on Dickens' own performance of the novel and has been created by director-designer Tom Cairns.

"As the ghosts spirit Scrooge from the present to his past and future, Dickens takes us on a magical journey from the miser's dank and creaking house to cosy hearths, and from snowy graveyards to joyful festivities. This treasured story offers a celebration of goodness, a plea for justice and the promise of redemption."

Produced by Assembly Festival and Riverside Studios, it is directed and designed by Tom Cairns, with sound design by Ben and Max Ringham.

Simon Callow has previously starred as Charles Dickens in the stage productions The Mystery of Charles Dickens at the Playhouse Theatre, Dr Marigold & Mr Chops at Riverside Studios, the film 'Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale', on television in the BBC's 'An Audience with Charles Dickens', and 'Doctor Who' in 2005 and 2011. His first West End appearance was in 1975 opposite Harry Secombe in The Plumber's Progress. His early credits include Mary Barnes at the Royal Court and Mozart in Amadeus at the National Theatre. He has since worked at the Royal Court Theatre, the National Theatre, the Bush Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and in many West End theatres.

A Christmas Carol has enjoyed success both as a novel and on stage and has never been out of print. Within two months of its original publication in 1843, eight stage productions were known to have been mounted, and Dickens himself chose the story to perform not only at his first public reading in 1853, but also at his farewell performance in 1869.

Tickets for the production are now on sale.