A Christmas Carol - The Old Vic

What's the current running time of this at the minute? Only I noticed it has a 7:30pm start time while it's in previews then that changes to 7pm after press night so am not sure if that's because it's currently epic & they've changed the start time! Am seeing it during previews so want to know how fast my dash for the train will need to be!

1 X FREE TICKET FOR THIS ON WEDNESDAY 27TH - IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT PLEASE MESSAGE ME. GENUINE FREEBIE AS I CAN'T GO.

Saw this last night. An angrier more forceful Scrooge than previous, which made the transition from bad Scrooge to penitent Scrooge interesting. This really is a lovely production, the lighting enchants me every time I see it (saw Rhys Ifans twice and Stephen Tompkinson twice - Both £10 in the PWC previews and return visits for the last nights with the GILT offers). It's just a lovely bit of theatre for me and affordable so I'm able to take friends to see it (on the premise they'll contribute to the bucket afterwards).

I saw it in New York. Same show, different production. I think it's a much bigger hit in London at the Old Vic vs the Old Vic's production on Broadway.

It's a books for children bucket this year (forgotten the name).  I did like the Ragged School (1st year bucket) which I felt had a stronger connection to Dickens.

2 yes 2 mince pies, both still warm and best I've had in ages.  It's a very special evening.

I was stranded in London due to the incident at London Bridge yesterday. Unable to get home, I bought a last-minute ticket to see this for the third time in a week as the Old Vic was walkable from my base at London Bridge. Yes, it really is that good. Paterson Joseph is an excellent Scrooge and one of our finest actors.

I feel very blessed that I’ve just been given tickets to press night for this. We were going to book for before Christmas, now I get to see it with my husband and see if he thinks it’s a bit old for our daughter. I’m thinking next year (when she is six) is the right time. I hope that they keep doing it. I saw it in January this year and it made Christmas last longer.

Jonnyboy, ive seen this year's production a couple of times and my view is that it's the best of the three. I like Paterson Joseph's interpretation. I miss the old Fezziwig though, as he made that part his own. It's a good 4star production in my opinion.

I saw this earlier this week.

I really enjoyed it- it had me laughing and crying in parts.

I would see it again.

I'm not Theatremonkey but have also seen it every year. The first year with Rhys Ifans, the show was fantastic. Moving, energetic, bit of a spitfest with Rhys Ifans in the lead role, and the absolute charm of the handbells and interweaving of the carols. It all seemed so magical, though the pace was slow. The flickering lights, snow, handbells were all there, and using children with disabilities for Tiny Tim seemed so poignant and right. Ifans played an anarchic Scrooge, curmudgeonly and snarky. I loved his interpretation, and when he said "I LOOOVVVEEEE CHRISTMAS" it brought the house down as his transformation was sudden and complete. It was a joy. The following year, Stephen Tompkinson took the lead role and many of the cast carried over to the second season as well, which gave a lovely warm familiarity - like seeing an old friend. Tompkinson was a detached Scrooge, isolated with a sense of deep sadness in his eyes and manner. His transformation was less sudden than Ifans and probably slightly warmer, as love seemed to radiate from Tompkinson at his redemption point. The same features of the previous year remained and, if I'm not mistaken, the introduction of the veils at the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Theatremonkey might be able to confirm.

This year's production, in my view, is the best yet. Paterson Joseph is a superb Scrooge. I've always felt he is a brilliant actor for many years, but his Scrooge has a deep brooding bitterness, wrapped around a sense of greatness. Yet there is vulnerability. An obvious sense of failure to fully achieve happiness, despite his wealth, and a begrudging irritation at the profligacy of life in general. His delivery of the line about a horse and carriage being an unnecessary expense is insightful, honest, funny and sad. He is an energetic Scrooge, hopping around almost on his toes, and he treats the boxes like he treats people - objects with compartments and define places to slot into his life. His shaking of the door after the "singing creatures" have departed is masterful, and his spitting of the name "Bob" is saddening and slightly scary. My view is that Joseph's performance is award worthy; certainly definitive for this particular version (no disrespect to the other actors). The cast this year is so strong, almost faultless. A favourite of mine from previous years and in this year as well is Myra McFadyen who is the Ghost of Christmas Past. Her delivery of the lines "Stand up man!" and "You have made an idol of gold" are worth the ticket price alone. Then there is the beautiful glorious singing and music which fills the theatre. I have seen this year's production five times (I work just around the corner so have treated myself after work a couple of times) - I never tire of the joy and happiness it brings to the audience. The orchestrations have been tweaked with a slightly larger band this year. A lovely rooted folkiness combined with traditional carols makes for a lovely musical evening, moving, spiritual without being overtly religious. I must mention the sound design too, which is excellent - I've sat in every part of the theatre and the sound is consistently excellent. Other updates include additional lighting effects, a few more lanterns (102 at the last count :-) ), understage light and smoke effects bring greater eeriness, particularly when things are almost pitch black.

Improvements to an already great script/production centre around the funeral scene, which has gone from being clunky and draggy in the first iteration to slick and smooth in this version. Some time has been shaved off with the eulogies being a bit pacier, less reflective, more storytelling than the original version. Time has also been shaved off from Scrooge's redemption scenes, notably his conversation with Belle. A favourite part of this scene for me has been taken out - Belle says her turkey is in a parlous state etc and closes the door, and in preview Belle and Scrooge put their hands on the door frame for around five seconds. It was a deeply poignant moment and you got to see Paterson Joseph's skill in conveying deep pain and regret simply through his eyes. Magical stuff if you are at stage level. However, this nuance would be lost in the circle and the gods, so I understand why the door now closes and the scene moves on. It would be powerful if captured on film.


Anyway, apologies for the long response. I hope my answer has helped, please feel free to ask questions if you have any.

Thanks everyone for the lovely write ups. I only saw the last 2 years and I noticed it was different but I couldn't see why. I must be blind LOL. The only thing i was sure of was that Scrooge' s coat wasn't pink last year.