Greyfriars Bobby and Ebenezer Scrooge to meet in World Premiere of the Edinburgh Christmas Carol

This year will be no different unless you happen to head to the Royal Lyceum where the tale has been given a brand new spin by writer and director Tony Cownie and the Lyceum company.

An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, adapted from Dicken’s novel combines the classic tale with Edinburgh’s own history. The piece follows curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Crawford Logan, as he’s visited by three mysterious ghosts - the ethereal spirit of Christmas past, Lang Syne (played by Eva Traynor), the jolly spirit of Christmas present, Nouadays (played by Steven McNicoll) and the spirit of Christmases yet to come, drummer boy Ayont (played by Taqi Nazeer).

All three visit Scrooge in the dead of night to show him the true meaning of Christmas, before it’s too late. Meanwhile, keeping the local policeman (played by Grant O’Rourke) on his toes is Edinburgh’s favourite furry friend, Greyfriar’s Bobby, played by puppeteer Edie Edmunson who also brings Tiny Tim to life.

Cownie 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.”

The cast is completed by Saskia Ashdown, Ewan Donald, Belle Jones, Brian James O’Sullivan and Nicola Roy.

A spokesperson from the Lyceum comments, “The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh is delighted to present the world premiere of An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, a magical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale, set in Victorian Edinburgh and featuring a host of festive favourites from both the book and Edinburgh’s own history and folklore.”

An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, Royal Lyceum, Grindlay Street, 28 November–4 January 2020, 1pm/2pm/6pm/7pm, (check www.lyceum.org.uk for scedule details), £12-£32 (Children £10-£20), Family ticket £90-£100, 0131-248 4848