Theatre News

Windsor Castle to host immersive production of A Christmas Carol

For the first time ever there will be an immersive Christmas show at Windsor Castle

A Christmas Carol will take audiences into Windsor Castle for a Victorian-themed Christmas tale
A Christmas Carol will take audiences into Windsor Castle for a Victorian-themed Christmas tale
Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012

During the Second World War, the state apartments at Windsor Castle saw Princesses Elizabeth and
Margaret perform Christmas pantomimes for their family. The castle is also where the Christmas tradition of bringing a tree into the house originated in Britain, after Prince Albert introduced the German practice at the castle. Within the Castle's rooms sits Queen Mary's Dolls' House, which was built in the early 1920s as a perfect replica of an aristocratic Edwardian residence, on the miniature bookshelf is a tiny replica of Charles Dickens' tale A Christmas Carol.

Now, for the first time ever, the public can enjoy an immersive Christmas production at the castle – which is steeped in festive tradition. A promenade performance of A Christmas Carol will be held within the state apartments and around the castle.

The show has been devised by immersive theatre company Watch Your Head and this will be their third collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust, following on from A Midsummer Night's Dream which was performed in the castle's moat garden.

For the show, the audience will accompany Ebenezer Scrooge from the castle gates to the Waterloo Chamber, where Jacob Marley awaits. A Christmas Carol is directed by Sasha McMurray, with costumes by Annina Pfeul and an original score by Joseph Reuben.

Sara Langridge, the producer of Watch Your Head, said: "A Christmas Carol really is the perfect story for this magical place and we can’t wait for audiences of all ages to share this wonderful experience."

The event will form part of a programme of Victorian-themed activities at Windsor Castle this Christmas.

A Christmas Carol runs at Windsor Castle on various dates between 16 and 30 December