We’ve just come back from a family trip to see A Christmas Carol at Shakespeare North Playhouse. It got 5* reviews from all the family.
Absolutely brilliant cast with epic comic timing. It’s a Christmas play with hint of panto (but not too much, just a nod!) Lily wants to go back next week! Highly recommend from 8-80!
AD | I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.
Words that I used to describe A Christmas Carol at Shakespeare North when I came out were fun, crazy, timely, brilliant and interactive. It was all of these things, often all at once.
You’ll all know a A Christmas Carol story, so I won’t go into that. In fact as we were driving to the theatre the girls (12,11,11) explained they’d studied it in year 5, read the book (the abridged version I presume), watched Scrooged (the Bill Murray 1988 special) and also seen a Disney version. They weren’t sure they needed to see another version. They were wrong. They all loved it.
With over 20 film versions alone, it’s pretty incredible that the fabulous team at Shakespeare North manage to make this version their own, but they do. The cast of four play an incredible 25 characters between them and one of my favourite scenes was around the Cratchit Christmas table when Jessica Davies plays about 6 of them all at once! The girls favourite scene was the Ghost of Christmas Future which they didn’t think was long enough they laughed so much. Lah!
The actors clever use of their audience made me grateful not to be on quite the front row, although speaking of seats my back did struggle slightly with the backless benches and I’d probably go for a seat on the back row (only three rows back) when I next visit. There really isn’t a bad view in the house.
Shakespeare North is located in Prescot, North Liverpool, and is the only 17th-century style, timber-built “Cockpit” theatre outside London. The stage can be configured into two different formations end-on and, how we saw this production of A A Christmas Carol, in-the-round. The theatre is quite beautiful in its simplicity.
A Christmas Carol dates are as follows:
2nd December 2022 to 7th January 2023, Shakespeare North Playhouse
Tickets from £3 with dynamic pricing and pay what you decide pricing too.
What is dynamic pricing? When a performance has the potential to sell out, we bring in dynamic pricing for some performances. It’s an approach that is similar to airline ticket prices which change according to demand. Some ticket prices on certain performances therefore may increase if the demand is enough, so it’s always best to book early for popular shows.
Pay what you decide? Shakespeare North also offers a sliding scale of ‘pay what you decide’ prices that will hopefully encourage those who may not have thought heading to a Shakespeare venue was for them, to give it a try.
Tickets can be bought online, by telephone or at the shop inside Shakespeare North Playhouse
https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/a-midsummer-nights-dream/
Booking Line: 03003034204
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.