John Simm to star as Scrooge in The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol

The Old Vic theatre has announced that John Simm (Life on Mars, Grace) is set to play Ebenezer Scrooge in Matthew Warchus’s much-loved production of A Christmas Carol this Christmas.

Adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child), A Christmas Carol is The Old Vic’s most successful show ever, coming back to London in 2024 for its eighth season. 66,000 saw the show last Christmas alone.

A Christmas Carol will play The Old Vic from 9 November 2024 to 4 January 2025.

Scrooge will be John Simm’s first stage role since playing the title role in Macbeth at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2019. His screen roles include The Master in Doctor Who, and roles in Life on Mars, Grace, 24 Hour Party People and State of Play. Read more about John Simm’s credits.

The creative team also includes Set & Costume by Rob Howell, Composition & Arrangement by Christopher Nightingale, Lighting by Hugh Vanstone, Sound by Simon Baker, Casting by Jessica Ronane CDG and Movement by Lizzi Gee. The Associate Director is Jamie Manton.

Matthew Warchus, director of A Christmas Carol and outgoing Artistic Director of The Old Vic, said in a statement: “When I originally conceived this production, I didn’t anticipate the extent to which it would represent so many of my views on humanity, society and even theatre itself. And I certainly didn’t anticipate it still being the symbolic and celebratory heart of The Old Vic’s programming eight years on. But so far the audience keeps growing (indeed more people saw the show last year than ever before) and the bucket collection at the final curtain continues to provide evermore support to several important homelessness and food bank charities. Thanks to all of you who have made this love-filled show part of your Christmas tradition. For 2024, we’re delighted to be welcoming the brilliant John Simm as Scrooge. He’ll be donning the red coat and crumpled top hat and joining an outstanding ensemble cast as we share another feast of music, magic and festive joy with our audiences, whether they’re seeing the production for their first time or the eighth!”

A Christmas Carol is playing at The Old Vic from 9 November 2024 to 4 January 2025.

Currently playing at The Old Vic is The Constituent starring James Corden and Anna Maxwell Martin, to 10 August 2024; followed by Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing from 22 August 2024 starring James McArdle and Bel Powley.

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A Christmas Carol

Old Vic, London

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