An all-star cast including Imelda Staunton, Bella Ramsey, Emma Corrin and Jim Broadbent will come together this December for a one-night-only live reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in support of the national homelessness charity Crisis.
Taking place at London’s Lyric Theatre on Monday 7 December, the special event will feature Adjoa Andoh, Jim Broadbent, Emma Corrin, Paapa Essiedu, Alex Lawther, Matthew Macfadyen, Bella Ramsey, Tanya Reynolds, Imelda Staunton and Grace Savage.
The reading will be directed by actor and Crisis supporter Bessie Carter, bringing Dickens’ timeless festive tale to life in a contemporary staging inspired by the author’s own public readings of the story.
All funds raised from the performance will support Crisis’ work helping people leave homelessness behind, providing vital services throughout the Christmas period and beyond.
The event draws inspiration from Dickens’ public readings of A Christmas Carol, which began in 1853 and went on to become a hugely popular part of his career, with more than 120 performances given during his lifetime.
Speaking about the event, Bessie Carter said: “Many families across Great Britain today are faced with the same issues that Charles Dickens talks about in A Christmas Carol – having to choose between a hot meal or a roof over their head. When I read this story again in preparation for this, I was struck by the fact that this was written almost 200 years ago and yet the message within it is still so prevalent today.
“With the help of Charles Dickens, we are going to put together an unforgettable evening, with the money raised helping Crisis provide vital support so people can leave homelessness behind. We would love you to be our fantastic audience and play your part in what will be an extraordinary evening.”
Adjoa Andoh MBE added: “I’m so happy to be a part of this very special live reading with Crisis, and very glad to be working again with my Bridgerton co-star, the incomparable Bessie Carter, a huge Crisis supporter. A Christmas Carol is a story rooted in compassion. It is a powerful reminder of the precarity of life and the shared value of all human beings. It feels incredibly powerful to be bringing this story to life during the Christmas season alongside such an amazing cast while supporting people experiencing homelessness.
“Crisis’ vital work all year round helps people leave homelessness behind by providing practical support including housing advice, employment opportunities and training. Everyone deserves the warmth, safety and security of a home and I’m delighted that people joining us for this special evening can help make that possible.”
Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: “Nearly two centuries ago, Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to remind society that people facing hardship should be met with compassion, generosity and companionship during the festive season.
“Yet right now, hundreds of thousands of people have nowhere to call home – from people spending night after night on our streets to families stuck in temporary accommodation for months or even years on end.
“That’s why we’re incredibly grateful to Bessie, our wonderful cast and everyone who comes to see the show. By supporting this special evening, audiences will be helping Crisis provide the vital support people need to rebuild their lives away from homelessness.”
Tickets go on sale at 12pm on Tuesday 1 September.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
