The Old Vic today announced that Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, The Walking Dead) will be starring as Ebenezer Scrooge in this year’s live-streamed Old Vic: In Camera – A Christmas Carol with free tickets for care homes and support for foodcycle ‘Life Turns In Direction We Know Not’
Directed by Matthew Warchus, the festive favourite returns for its fourth year and this time audiences will be able to enjoy it from the comfort of their homes as the production will be streamed live from The Old Vic stage.
As with previous Old Vic: In Camera streams, the empty auditorium will be the show’s backdrop but for the very first time in the series, this production will be presented as a full-scale show with live musicians, theatrical lighting, set and costumes, and with a cast of 18 performers.
A total number of 80 freelance creatives, actors and musicians will be employed to create this year’s production.
Other cast members joining Andrew this year include, amongst others, Melissa Allan, Rosanna Bates, John Dagleish, Tim van Eyken, Sam Lathwood, Eugene McCoy, Myra McFadyen, Gloria Obianyo, Maria Omakinwa, Golda Rosheuvel, Michael Rouse, Clive Rowe and Sam Townsend. With Rayhaan Kufuor-Gray, Lara Mehmet, Lenny Rush and Eleanor Stollery sharing the role of Tiny Tim.
Director Matthew Warchus said: “When I began my job as Artistic Director five years ago I boldly (naively) put up a neon sign in the lobby radiating Lilian Baylis’ favourite quote – “Dare, Always Dare”. With those galvanising words ringing in our ears, I am delighted to announce that Andrew Lincoln has joined us in what must surely be one of the most ambitious and complex pieces of live-streamed theatre attempted in the pandemic so far.
“The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol has moved and entertained over a quarter of a million people in London and New York over the last three Christmases and we made a pledge last spring that we would still present it, in some form or other, even in this most challenging of years. In doing a project of this size we don’t expect to be able to make any profit for the theatre but rather we will be continuing our mission of staying connected to audiences of all ages, providing much-needed work and income for dozens of freelancers, and generally celebrating the important role live theatre has always played in bringing us together to share amazing stories. I hope you can join us.”
The production will be performed live from 12 – 24 December 2020 for just 16 performances with 80,000 tickets available across the run from £10–£65, with all ticket prices offering the same view. An £80 Souvenir Ticket including a limited edition poster will also be available.
Audiences only need to buy one ticket to watch with a group on the same screen; and, if you plan on watching together on the same screen, a group of four could get to experience this production for as little as £2.50 per person or a maximum of £20 per person.
Through staging and pricing the production in this way, The Old Vic hopes that it will breakeven and any profits that are made will go towards funding the charitable activities of The Old Vic: artistic, education and community work that serves its beneficiaries.
During the pandemic, The Old Vic has seen a 75% reduction in box office income for live performances – its main source of income. Yet its core costs remain, supporting staff and its Grade II* listed building as well as continuing with outreach work within communities who need it more than ever. As the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic continue we all, now more than ever, feel the need for connection, joy and hope – especially at this time of year.
All those who celebrate the festive season will be preparing to do things slightly differently this year and could be facing the prospect of being separated from family and loved ones. The Old Vic hope they can bring a traditional Old Vic Christmas into thousands of homes across the world connecting families, friends and also strangers through this powerful story and collective experience.
The venue also announced that on 17 December at 8.30 pm, radio and television broadcaster Dermot O’Leary will return to host the second of their live Old Vic: In Conversations series as he is joined by Andrew Lincoln to discuss being part of this year’s production.
To find out more, click the button below, and don’t forget to mark your diaries, as general booking opens from 9 November.