A Christmas Carol transforms the Cathedral Close into Victorian London

Leon

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In early December, Hereford Cathedral School pupils staged Dickens’ classic tale of A Christmas Carol.

Audiences took a journey through Victorian London in this unique promenade production, adapted by HCS Head of English, Mr Abbott. The performances took place within both the School site and the Cathedral Close.

With convincing delivery, pupils brought alive Scrooge’s series of ghostly encounters on a cold and haunting Christmas Eve night, which tested the limitations of his life and his beliefs.

Mr Abbott commented: “It is one thing to imagine the story in the different settings, but quite another to see them come to life in such atmospheric places. From the excitement of seeing Marley’s ghost spring to life for the first time on the first night, to gathering around Tiny Tim’s grave with the grieving Cratchits, it was so exciting to see so many great performances bring this much-loved story to life. The Close, especially in the mist, was the perfect setting and the Victorian characters transported us effortlessly to another period in a way that is hard to replicate in a traditional theatre setting. Some had doubted our plan and, to be truthful, even we weren’t quite sure that it would work, but so many people have told us that it is the most inventive school production they have ever experienced.”

Headmaster Dr Gray added: “I was so impressed by such an innovative and ambitious approach to A Christmas Carol; the use of the school site and Cathedral was extremely imaginative and brought a familiar and heart-warming tale to life. The cold and somewhat inclement weather gave it a truly Dickensian feel which was truly atmospheric.  Well done to everyone who made this play such an overwhelming success.”