Talented young people from Didcot to star in A Christmas Carol at Cornerstone

Talented young people from Didcot and the surrounding area will play starring roles in an adaptation of A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens’ festive tale of redemption and compassion.

Audiences will come face to face with the magical spirits, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, as Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot is transformed this Christmas into the enchanting setting of the past, present and future of Mr Scrooge.

A reinvention of a classic story with world-class puppetry from the award-winning visual theatre company, Smoking Apples, the audience is invited to join Mr Scrooge as he travels through time to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet member for community wellbeing at South Oxfordshire District Council, which runs Cornerstone, said: “We’re really excited to bring such a classic and festive tale to the arts centre for everyone to enjoy this Christmas.

“It’s going to be fantastic to see young people taking part in the show this year too. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Hattie Thomas, Co-Artistic Director of Smoking Apples Theatre, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing this timeless Christmas tale to Didcot. It’s full of warmth and festive spirit, and working with a young company cast for the first time is hugely exciting.

“It’s a show about humanity, for everyone, with everyone, so it feels completely right that we’re extending the company to include some brilliant local young people. Yes, everyone knows the story, yes, you’ve probably seen it before, but we doubt you’ll have ever seen it quite like this!”

Two casts of young people will be the beating heart of this warming show, playing everything from playful (and quite naughty) Victorian children who won’t go to bed to being puppeteers and starring alongside the professional company from Smoking Apples.

The production runs from Saturday 17 to Saturday 24 December 2022.

The Nourish café will also be transformed into a spellbinding Victorian scene and will be open before and after the show, with lots of options for the whole family, from bagels, hot chocolate and locally sourced cakes to festive mulled wine and mince pies.

Prices are £16.00 for standard tickets, £14.50 for concession tickets and £52.00 for a family ticket for four.