The Old Vic's beloved annual production of A Christmas Carol has returned for its ninth consecutive year, proving that even the most sentimental Victorian tale can captivate cynical London audiences when executed with genuine heart and theatrical magic.
A Feast for the Senses Before Curtain Up
The production establishes its enchanting atmosphere from the moment patrons enter the theatre. Bonneted ushers welcome attendees with warm minced pies, immediately putting the crowd at ease. This year's staging places the audience in the round, surrounded by nearly 100 swinging lanterns casting a golden glow throughout the space. A top-hatted band plays convivial tunes from the centre, creating an immersive experience that embraces the Christmas spirit without apology.
Yet director Matthew Warchus ensures the production doesn't shy away from the story's darker elements. Death, poverty and Gothic imagery provide striking contrast to the merriment, with Marley's ghost making a particularly memorable entrance dragging heavy brass chains across the stage before being dramatically pulled back into the shadows.
Paul Hilton's Compelling Scrooge Transformation
This year's casting brings Paul Hilton of Slow Horses fame to the pivotal role of Ebenezer Scrooge, following successful runs by Doctor Who stars Christopher Eccleston and John Simm. Hilton delivers a shouty, spindly interpretation that differs from previous more sly characterisations.
His journey from miserly curmudgeon to giddy convert proves completely compelling to watch. Particularly powerful is his closing declaration in the first half - "Guilt – I will not feel it" - delivered with spine-tingling intensity as the lights fade.
Innovative Staging and Audience Participation
The production features significant staging changes this year, replacing the usual raised cruciform through the stalls with a sunken central stage. This creates a more intimate atmosphere, though some may miss the playful possibilities of the previous elevated design that allowed Scrooges to leap up and down unexpectedly.
Adapted by Jack Thorne, writer of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, the production retains all the crowd-pleasing elements that have made it a perennial favourite. The Christmas feast assembly for the Cratchit family becomes a whole-theatre effort, with potatoes thrown from sheets hung in the upper circle and sausages woven through the stalls.
One particularly memorable moment occurred when a young audience member tasked with carrying the jelly nearly stole the show by immediately toppling over - only to be masterfully rescued by Hilton himself. These homemade touches, from bedsheet backdrops to soap-bubble snow, contribute to the production's authentic charm.
The surest measure of the show's emotional impact comes after the curtain call, where charity bucket collections fill liberally - clear evidence that Dickens' message about compassion and generosity continues to resonate powerfully with modern audiences.
A Christmas Carol plays at The Old Vic until 10 January 2026, offering Londoners a festive theatrical experience that balances traditional sentiment with genuine emotional depth.
