What the Dickens? by The Telling
  • OSO Arts Centre, 49 Station Road, Barnes, London
    SW13 0LF
Charles Dickens is haunted by the women he mistreated, soundtracked by colourful Victorian songs, carols and folk music

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

Tickets: https://osoarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173656751

Photo by Sisi Burn

Future dates
  • Wednesday 27th November 7:30pm until 9:20pm
  • Thursday 28th November 7:30pm until 9:20pm
  • Friday 29th November 7:30pm until 9:20pm
  • Saturday 30th November 7:30pm until 9:20pm
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