First Look: Lyceum bring Victorian Edinburgh and Greyfriars Bobby to life on stage in exciting new Christmas show

Royal Lyceum's An Edinburgh Christmas Carol

The Evening News has been give an exclusive look at the production ahead of its opening and can now share this first look at set designer Neil Murray's vision of Victorian Edinburgh.

Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel of one man's redemption, Tony Cownie's new adaptation weaves the Capital's own folklore through the tale, which is set firmly in Victorian Edinburgh and features everyone's favourite pooch, Greyfriars Bobby.

An Edinburgh Christmas Carol follows curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s visited by three mysterious ghosts - the ethereal spirit of Christmas past, Lang Syne, the jolly spirit of Christmas present, Nouadays, and the spirit of Christmases yet to come, drummer boy Ayont - who visit Scrooge in the dead of night to show him the true meaning of Christmas, before it’s too late!

Keeping the local policeman on his toes, meanwhile, is Edinburgh’s favourite furry friend, Greyfriar’s Bobby.

The action plays out on Murray's set, which is dominated by the brooding form of the Castle as much of the action takes place in the Grassmarket and Greyfriars kirkyard.

The designer says, "The Old Town in Edinburgh is wonderfully atmospheric and it was easy for me to imagine and visualise the Victorian world of Dickens among its closes and alleyways. I have loved Edinburgh for many years, so it was great to be back working in The Lyceum, which has been a long term favourite."

In the three released photographs, taken by Lyceum photographer Mihaela Bodlovic, the main image shows Ewan Donald, Saskia Ashdown, Grant O’Rourke, puppeteer Edie Edmundson, Brian James O’Sullivan and Taqi Nazeer going about their business in the shadow of the Castle on a snowy winter's day.

Another image captures Murray's take on Greyfriars kirkyard - the dramatic shot finds Bobby up to his tricks and features Outlander favourite Grant O’Rourke as the local police officer, puppeteer Edie Edmunson with Bobby and Brian James O’Sullivan.

A third shot again features Edmundson and Ashdown with the Tiny Tim and Greyfriars Bobby puppets, both of which were made by Simon Auton.

Cownie, who also directs says, "I look forward to welcoming Lyceum audiences of all ages to Victorian Edinburgh, where the heartless Scrooge has his shop directly opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard. All the original characters are here, with the exciting addition of a very loyal, dogged and lovable neighbour - Bobby.

"The Scottish establishment, and the Kirk in particular, had a very Scrooge-like attitude towards Christmas in the nineteenth century so it was not just Ebenezer that considered it all a humbug - Edinburgh has definitely learned a thing or two from it’s own ghosts of Christmas past.”

An Edinburgh Christmas Carol opens on Thursday 28 November and runs until Saturday 4 January 2020. Tickets priced from £12 (£10) are on sale now from www.lyceum.org.uk