Building on the success of last year’s John Kyrle High School’s production, the pantomime Robin’s Hoodie, the students and staff have been working hard on their 2018 Christmas offering – A Christmas Carol (Rebooted!) – the Dickensian classic tale of the Christmas-hating Ebenezer Scrooge and the supernatural story of his eventual redemption. Students from right across the school have been involved in this updated classic.

The bespoke rewrite of the tale promises to include great performances, witty dialogue, audience participation and of course some great music – this year mostly featuring the music of The Beatles, and all played by the school band and musical director Mrs Blake.

Will Lawn, aspiring musician and very talented performer dons the nightcap of Ebenezer (Shirley) Scrooge – begrudgingly playing the guitar and learning about the joy of Christmas before it is too late. In this adaptation, Scrooge has a love interest – his childhood sweetheart, Kelly Lickit, played by Hollie Owen and Immi Abbott who wowed audiences last year in their leading roles in the pantomime. The whole story is retold through the eyes and imaginations of our narrators, The Street Urchins, who, with the audience, share the way in which the legend has unfolded.

The curtain goes up (or technically moves sideways) on December 12th, 13th and 14th and the shows will be starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £6 individually with a concession price of £4 for under 16s and over 60s. Family tickets are also available for £18, covering the admission of two adults and two children. All tickets are available from school reception.

With rehearsals now underway and currently in full flow, this year’s production is looking to more than fill the shoes of its predecessor, promising the audience Christmas spirit in abundance! (Well, four spirits to be exact!)