CHRISTMAS as we know it was almost invented by Charles Dickens – and the festive theatre scene always includes more Scrooges than you can shake the proverbial stick at. But Cirencester’s intimate Barn Theatre always manages to add a special pizzazz to its Christmas shows, and this year is no exception, with an atmospheric Christmas Carol, on until 4th January.

Writer Alan Pollock has adapted the original Dickensian fable, and the show is directed by Jessica Daniels with Jack Lord as Scrooge. A multi-talented cast of actors and singers plays multiple roles, including Paul Kemble as Fezziwig and Bob Cratchit (and many more), Sam Lightfoot-Loftus as Fred and Young Scrooge, with Louise Faulkner, Rachael Kendall Brown and Claire Lee Shenfield.

The Barn is renowned for its brilliant designs – for A Christmas Carol the creative team includes Anna Kelsey (set and costume), Jodie Underwood (lighting), and Anna Pool, (sound design, composition and musical direction.)n.