On 1 December 2017, Island Records will mark the 175 anniversary of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ as celebrated actor Simon Callow and current national brass band champions The Brighouse and Rastrick Band join forces to release a very special album this Christmas. The CD will combine Simon Callow’s acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ together with traditional Christmas carols performed by The Brighouse and Rastrick Band.
Originally self-published by Dickens in 1843, his legendary Christmas tale is now beautifully and dramatically presented afresh by using music to enhance Simon Callow’s superb narration on CD one. A second CD features all of the well-loved full-length Christmas carols performed by The Brighouse and Rastrick Band. The album includes Silent Night, Away In A Manager and O Come All Ye Faithful to name just a few.
In December 2016 Simon Callow performed a one-man version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Arts Theatre. Directed by Tom Cairns, Simon’s performance was critically praised for its heart-warming and deeply moving festive storytelling of one of the most beloved works in literature, which has become a festive staple for many generations. Now, Simon Callow has taken his theatrical extravaganza adaptation and tells the famous story of Ebeneezer Scrooge for listeners to enjoy on CD this holiday season on his debut Christmas album.
Simon Callow said: “Charles Dickens is one of the supreme storytellers of all time; it’s always been a joy for me to perform not just the characters and the dialogue but to speak in the uniquely compelling voice of the author himself. It’s been wonderful to come back again, for new listeners and to old, to the timeless place in all our hearts that ‘A Christmas Carol’ occupies, this time with the addition of marvellously stirring music to accompany what is a story that will never cease to be relevant, moving and funny for as long as stories are told.”
