In a new cross-conurbation collaboration, Manchester's award-winning Hope Mill Theatre will stage a musical version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol at The Lowry in Salford in December 2024 (December 6-January 4 2025).
Co-founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton will co-direct, with Whelton also in charge of choreography.
As part of Hope Mill's development programme, the company is becoming more expansive – producing some of its shows on a larger scale than it can in its tiny home in Ancoats, Manchester.
This adaptation was a New York festive staple from 1994-2003, presented annually at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. In 2004 it was adapted for television, starring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge.
The score is by Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Newsies and Little Shop of Horrors) and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on this Island).
William Whelton said: “While we will continue to produce work at our wonderful home venue, it has become increasingly challenging for us to stage ambitious, large-scale musicals at Hope Mill, so we have been exploring new ways to work – which includes at other theatres."
Matthew Eames, head of theatres at The Lowry, said: “We are really excited to host A Christmas Carol in 2024 and to be able to support Joseph and Will with their ambitions to grow and develop.
"Both The Lowry and Hope Mill have been bold in their commitments to musical theatre in recent years, including joining together to host the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer in 2020-21; and we are sure that our Quays Theatre will be a great home-from-home for Hope Mill. We can’t wait to meet Scrooge and the rest of the cast next year!”
Info and tickets here