Actors Bella Ramsey and Dame Imelda Staunton are set to appear in a star-studded cast for a one-off reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The West End show will raise money for homelessness charity Crisis.
Star-studded cast and venue
The pair will be joined by Adjoa Andoh, Jim Broadbent, Emma Corrin, Paapa Essiedu, Alex Lawther, Matthew Macfadyen, Tanya Reynolds, and Grace Savage for the performance at the Lyric Theatre. The event is directed by Bessie Carter and is inspired by Dickens' own public readings, which began in 1853.
Cast and director comments
Bridgerton actress Andoh said: "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."
Dickens' own first reading of the play was for charity, raising funds for local organisations in Birmingham where he was performing, and the writer went on to perform A Christmas Carol more than 120 times during his life.
Director's message and event details
Director Carter added: "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."
A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy man, who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come.
The show will take place on December 7 at the Lyric Theatre, with tickets going on sale at 12pm on September 1 at nimaxtheatres.com.
