Former 'Doctor Who' star Christopher Eccleston has been cast as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Christopher Eccleston is to star as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
The 59-year-old actor - who played the Ninth Doctor when Russell T. Davies relaunched the sci-fi series in 2005 - is taking on the famous role for a new stage production of Charles Dickens' story 'A Christmas Carol', first published in 1843.
'A Christmas Carol' will run at The Old Vic and it will be the seventh time that Matthew Warchus' production, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne, will return to the London theatre.
Confirming his casting, Eccleston said: "As a child, I read and watched every and any version of 'A Christmas Carol' because of a fascination with Scrooge's psychology.
"As a young actor, I read everything I could about the legendary Old Vic. I'm a very lucky man to be part of this production and cannot wait to meet our audiences."
The classic tale focuses on Scrooge, who is a miser, who hates Christmas and refuses a dinner invitation from his nephew Fred and reluctantly allows his is overworked, underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit, to have Christmas Day off to spend with his family.
However, on Christmas Eve he is visited by his late business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns that he must change his ways and that he will be three spirits who will show him the error of his money loving ways.
Rhys Ifans, Paterson Joseph, Owen Teale and Andrew Lincoln are among the actors who have previously played Scrooge at The Old Vic. Warchus' production was first staged in 2017.
In a statement, Warchus said: "Jack Thorne's joyful adaptation of A Christmas Carol is a feast for the eyes, mind, and heart.
"Already seen by over half a million people globally, this love-filled production continues to snowball in popularity; indeed, more people booked to see the show last year than ever before.
"This year I am delighted to be working with Christopher Eccleston in the role of Scrooge and to be bringing back all the music, magic, and festive joy for audiences old and new."
'A Christmas Carol' will be at The Old Vic from November 11, 2023 to January 6, 2024.
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