It's beginning to look a lot like... a Victorian Christmas!
Dickens' classic 'A Christmas Carol' may be dark at times, but it provides the perfect platform for some uplifting performances.
From the ghostly apparitions to the heartwarming Cratchit family, to the epitome of misery itself, let's meet the cast taking on some of Dickens' most iconic characters.
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Danielle Capretti Narrator | Jacob Simmons Scrooge | Beth Smith Martha Cratchit & Belle | Joe Waterfield Fred |
Danielle has trod the boards all over the world--from Albania to New Zealand. Debuting with New Stagers, her recent roles include Ariel in The Tempest (Greek Theatre Players), Solange in Follies (WLOS), Helga in Kindertransport (Putney Theatre Company) and Mrs. Page in Merry Wives of Windsor (Mayhem). Outside ‘the drama’, she teaches 70s Disco Fever, London’s grooviest line dance class. She relishes the challenge of bringing Dickens’ imagery to life as the Narrator. | A New Stagers newbie, Jacob is returning to the stage after a long absence, having previously appeared in Grease, Footloose, and Little Shop of Horrors at school. Scrooge is a dream role for him, having been obsessed with The Muppets Christmas Carol for as long as he can remember. Now he just has to out-act Sir Michael Caine - how hard can that be? | A member of New Stagers since 2021, Beth has starred in pantomimes (oh no she hasn’t!) with roles such as “Mr Grabbe”, one half of a comedy duo, in Robin Hood. Growing up, Beth has always loved performing, taking the roles of “Penny” in Hairspray, “Adelaide” in Guys & Dolls and “Betty” in The Crucible. This is Beth’s third show in 2024 where she is double-hatting as Ebenezer’s scorned lover, Belle, and the poor, young daughter of Scrooge’s assistant, Martha Cratchit. Both parts have kept her busy and a little emotional at times and she’s excited to bring the world of Christmas Carol to life for audiences. | Previously a part of the touring company Classic Theatre Cumbria, Joseph has performed with new stagers for just under 2 years. Having recently played a lead role in a modernised reimagining of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Joe is thrilled to play the role of Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. A man full of Christmas cheer, but deeply saddened by his uncle’s standoffish attitude towards the season, love and family. |
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Patrick McMahon Bob Cratchit | Ciara Hackett Mrs Cratchit | Lydia Lewis Belinda Cratchit | Jasmine Clifton Fanny & Tiny Tim |
Returning to the stage for his second New Stagers performance after the award-winning Midsummer Night's Dream. Quite the antithesis of King (BoohooMAN) Oberon, Patrick is thrilled to take on the role of Scrooge's loyal office clerk and family man, Bob Cratchit who provides a grounded definition of the spirit of Christmas throughout the play. | A member of New Stagers since 2023, Ciara has previously taken on the role of Catherine in “Memory of Water” and Stage Manager in the “Real Inspector Hound”. She also starred in the titular role in John B. Keane’s “Sive”, and Rooster in “Annie”, back home in Dublin. Ciara is excited to once again take on the challenge of an English accent, portraying Mrs Cratchit, a doting mother and wife with a big heart - except for Scrooge! | Lydia joined New Stagers in 2022 and this is her fifth production with the group. She recently played her dream role of Hermia in the award-winning A Midsummer Night’s Dream, bringing ‘Brat Summer’ to life. She is now thrilled to be playing the much more wholesome character of Belinda Cratchit, one of Bob’s children, and embodying the childlike joy of the Christmas spirit. | This is Jasmine's first show with new stagers, but she has been active in theatre clubs from a young age. She joined this group due to having withdrawal symptoms from being away from her uni theatre society this year and is glad to find that she has fallen right into her type of cast—being cast as not one but two children! Jasmine hopes she can do both these roles justice, showing one character so full of life and the other right on death's door. |
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Colin Sheehan Jacob Marley & Fezziwig | Izzy Rosen Ghost of Christmas Past & Lady | Jon Davis Ghost of Christmas Present & Joe | Oliver Hope Ghost of Christmas Future & Ebenezer (young Scrooge) |
Colin is a seasoned New Stager, having been a part of the group since 2013. Hot off the heels of his performance in "The Real Inspector Hound" he's eager to take on the festive challenge of portraying the iconic, regret-filled Marley in this year's Christmas production. | This is Izzy’s first play with New Stagers, but she has been acting since school, playing Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Liz in Billy Liar. Izzy is excited to portray the mysterious character of the Ghost of Christmas Past who helps Scrooge take his first steps towards redemption. | A member of New Stagers since 2017, Jon has taken on a variety of roles in various productions. Jon is looking forward to the roles of Ghost of Christmas Present and Old Joe as they represent opposing ends of the Dickensian vision of Christmas. | Having trained at the Guildford School Of Acting, this is Oliver’s first performance with New Stagers. Ebenezer has been an extremely interesting character study as you are afforded the chance to explore transitioning into Scrooge and Ghost of Christmas Future is iconic. Two wonderful parts that have kept me in the Christmas spirit since moving to London. |
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Beth Bradbury Mary | Amit Seeboruth Gentleman 1 / Man 1 | Ben Ellis Gentleman 2 / Man 2 | Molly Rose Boy |
Beth is thrilled to make her debut with New Stagers in A Christmas Carol. With over 15 years of stage experience, she’s no stranger to theatre, most recently portraying Nancy in Oliver! This show holds a special place in her heart, as it marks a return to A Christmas Carol exactly 10 years after first appearing in various roles, including Mary’s daughter, in the same beloved story. | A new member of New Stagers. I joined this particular group because I was looking for acting experience. Then I quickly fell in love with how things were coming together, and they are truly a bunch of talented and wonderful people. All with their own unique and amazing stories. How could I not play Gentleman 1 who's energetic, wears his heart on his sleeve and is empathic to other people's struggles? He is collecting money for charity. In stark contrast is man 1 who's opportunistic, arrogant and calculating. | A gentleman in fact as well as in fiction, Ben is entering his 30th year with New Stagers. He didn’t actually meet Charles Dickens but feels the message for humanity in A Christmas Carol is more pertinent today than ever before. Vast inequality does not enrich anyone, as Scrooge mercifully discovers! | Molly plays Boy. |
Our talented cast will be taking to the stage from 04 - 13 December in St Anne's Church - the perfect stage for a festive treat! To get your hands on tickets, simply click on the link below:
Thanks to Nick for coming along and taking these headshots of our lovely cast. Remember to follow us on our socials to see more of Nick's beautiful shots during the rehearsal process. You can check out more of Nick's work on his Instagram.
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