Tue, 03 Dec
|St Edward's Church
What the Dickens? - Cardiff
Charles Dickens is haunted by the women he mistreated, soundtracked by colourful Victorian songs, carols and folk music
Time & Location
03 Dec 2024, 20:00 – 21:50
St Edward's Church, Westville Road, Cardiff CF23 5DE, UK
About the event
A new show where music and theatre collide by award-winning writer Clare Norburn and BAFTA-nominated director Nicholas Renton with colourful Victorian popular songs & street music, old carols and lively folk music performed by a multi-talented cast of seven who act, sing, dance and play instruments - sometimes all at the same time!
It’s Charles Dickens’ last Christmas Eve: 1869. Against his doctor’s wishes, he gives one of his acclaimed theatrical readings of A Christmas Carol, but from the moment the lights go down, his life becomes strangely entangled with his character Scrooge. Dickens’ carefully managed image as a family man, who has created the very quintessence of Christmas starts to unravel. He is haunted by the women he mistreated (his wife and mother of his ten children, Catherine Dickens, and his secret young mistress, Ellen 'Nelly' Ternan), who force him to face up to his past, present and future. Can Dickens learn from the ghosts, repent, and be saved - as Scrooge was saved?
“mesmerising” - The Guardian on The Telling
“an exploration of the boundaries between art and life...intelligent… finds new terrain” - The Guardian on Clare Norburn’s writing
Cast
Clive Hayward as Charles Dickens
Karen Ascoe as Catherine Dickens / Voice
Rosalind Ford as Ellen ‘Nelly’ Ternan / Cello
Alexander Knox as Young Dickens / Violin
Rosa Lennox as Young Catherine / Bob Fagin / Accordion
Clare Norburn as Multiple Small Roles / Voice
Steven Edis Composer/Pianist
Age restrictions
Generally, we believe ages 11+ would enjoy this play – or possibly younger if they are used to going to the theatre. The play isn't scary – it's much less scary than most films of A Christmas Carl - rather it might be a bit serious for very young children. There are some fun moments and musical numbers. It is more enlivening than taking a child to a straight orchestral concert (and we say that as musicians!). We think it depends on the child as well as the age.
This performance is supported by The Darkley Trust and Arts Council England.
Photo by Sisi Burn.
Tickets
- Sale ends: 03 Dec, 19:30
General Sale
Our priority is to make our concerts as accessible as possible, therefore we don't limit Concession tickets to those of a certain age, but leave it up to your discretion as to what you can afford. We are a small arts organisation and need all the monetary (and otherwise) support we can get, but our top priority is ensuring you can come to our show!
From £5.00 to £20.00- £20.00
- £16.00
- £5.00
Total
£0.00