Rose Theatre today announces casting for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, with music by Eamonn O’Dwyer and directed by Rosie Jones.
Penny Layden will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge joined by Killian Macardle (Bob Cratchit / Marley / Fezziwig), Natasha Magigi (Mrs Cratchit/Pawnbroker), Elexi Walker (Dickens) and Lizzie Winkler (Elizabeth/Ghost of Christmas Present).
A Christmas Carol runs at the Rose Theatre from 2 December 2022 until 2 January 2023.
The cast also features forty young people from Rose Youth Theatre who will perform in two alternate casts. The Rose Youth Theatre company includes: Viola Johnson, Lily Rowell (Maud), Jemima Leason, Luke Groarke (Jojo), Alex Forster, Amelie Abbott (Robin), Jacob Towey, Tom Hardman (Fred), Isobel Whurr, Chloe Nichols (Ghost of Christmas Past), Scarlett Coburn, Ellie Searle (Young Ebbie), Benjamin Haxton, Elliot Shepherd (Young Edmund), Cathra Plant, Isla Griffiths (Young Fan), Holly Schofield, Penny Bennet (Apprentice Scrooge/Ricky), Darcey Abel, Jasmine Procter–Tarabanov (Allie/Martha Cratchit), Amelia Forster, Silvia Shea (Eddie/Ernie Cratchit), Isabella Quijano, Alice Young (Spike/Vic Cratchit), Jack Fernie, Skylar Muwonge (Caroline), Sally Page, Summer Toibayeva (Micky), Audrey Johnston, Sam Step (Alex/Stevie), Louie McKillop, Max Middleton (Billy), Florence Datta, Tait Walsingham (Jack), Ted Cullen, Nico Ozag (Frankie/August), Jasmine Duman, Atticus Wright (Kit), Ren Walsingham (Bobby).
Further casting and full creative team is to be announced.
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm said: “I am so excited to have had the chance to make this show. I adore the original story and making a version for the Rose Theatre with its rich tradition of including a large ensemble of young people has been such a fun exercise in joy and Christmassy vibes! The whole creative team are so brilliant and this will be a festive feast for audiences young and old.”
It’s a cold Christmas Eve on the snowy streets of Victorian London, and preparations for another Christmas are well underway – but not for Ebenezer Scrooge. The cruellest, wealthiest woman in town; Scrooge hates charity, she hates carol singers, and most of all… she hates Christmas. Bah, humbug!
Join Charles Dickens and the children of the town, as they take Scrooge on a time-bending, enchanting journey of self-discovery to confront her past, present and future. Can Scrooge open her heart to undo years of misdeeds before it’s too late?
From Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, writer of the Olivier Award-winning Emilia, comes a brand-new retelling of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. With all new songs by Eamonn O’Dwyer (Beauty and the Beast) and directed by Rosie Jones (Hansel & Gretel), step into this heart-warming tale of generosity and forgiveness, and experience the spirit of Christmas with the whole family.
This Rose Original Production features a wealth of local talent from the Rose Youth Theatre performing alongside a professional cast.