David Edgar’s first work for the Royal Shakespeare Company in six years is a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.
Edgar’s history with the RSC stretches from Destiny in 1976 through his adaptation of Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby to Written on the Heart, his look at the creation of the King James Bible.
Phil Davis who plays Ebenezer Scrooge is known for his extensive television appearances. He has had a long association with Mike Leigh and one of his most well-known parts was Stanley in the film Vera Drake for which he won the British Independent Film award for best actor.
The cast of A Christmas Carol also includes Nicholas Bishop (Charles Dickens / Young Scrooge), Tom Byrne (Slingshot), Gerard Carey (Bob Cratchit), Sally Cheng (Katherine / Belinda Cratchit), James Gant (father / Hinge / Mr Baldock), Dinita Gohil (Belle / Isabel / Lucy), John Hodgkinson (Fezziwig / Old Joe), Beruce Khan (John Forster / Young Marley), Verity Kirk (Mrs Baldock / Caroline / housemaid), Luke Latchman (Wicker), Bethany Linsdell (Martha Cratchit / Amy), Emma Pallant (Mrs Cratchit / Mrs Snapchat), Vivien Parry (Lady Tibshelf / Christmas Past / aunt), Joseph Prowen (Fred), Giles Taylor (Marley), Sarah Twomey (Fanny / Jane), Jamie Tyler (Uber / doctor / second businessman) and Brigid Zengeni (Mrs Trowell / Christmas Present / Mrs Fezziwig).
Rachel Kavanaugh directs. Design is by Stephen Brimson Lewis with lighting by Tim Mitchell. Music is by Catherine Jayes and sound by Fergus O’Hare. Choreography is by Georgina Lamb and illusions by Ben Hart.
A Christmas Carol runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford from 27 November until 4 February 2018. Press night will be Wednesday 6 December.