Coronation Street scriptwriter brings Northern twist to A Christmas Carol

A Coronation Street scriptwriter has put a Northern spin on a Charles Dickens' classic.

Adapted by Debbie Oates, A Christmas Carol will be staged at Lancaster's The Dukes over the festive period.

Packed with songs, humour and plenty of "bah humbug", the piece is relocated to Lancaster – where Dickens twice stayed and performed.

Director Joe Sumsion said: "We're really excited about doing A Christmas Carol which is a classic moral story full of magic with a very big heart. The fact that many people know and love the story is great – we'll aim to tell it brilliantly and with some surprises thrown in too."

The production, which will be performed in the round, will feature puppets and illusions.

It will star young actor Gareth Cassidy as Ebenezer Scrooge, and contain music by Carol Donaldson.

A Christmas Carol runs between 29 November and 4 January.

– Rebecca Cohen