Ebenezer Goode? Ebenezer "Great"!
- David Court
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
A Christmas Carol, performed by Paul Nolan at the Charterhouse, 10 December 2025
Review by David Court
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ remains as beloved a festive staple today as it was upon its triumphant debut in 1843. The tale is woven into our cultural DNA, having been brought to life by some of the greatest names in stage and screen (from Patrick Stewart and Simon Callow to Michael Caine—supported, of course, by a miscellany of Muppets) and lovingly lampooned by countless television comedies in their Christmas specials.
I’d previously singled out Paul Nolan’s performance in another Dickens classic (‘Oliver Twist’) at the Albany Theatre two years ago—where he skilfully embodied the cunning, Machiavellian Fagin—so the prospect of his one-man ‘A Christmas Carol’ carried no small amount of anticipation.
The Charterhouse proved an inspired venue choice. Its medieval monastic hall radiates atmosphere, practically humming with history. Opening night—one of eleven performances (Dec 10–14 and Dec 17–21 and Dec 22 at the Priority Visitor's Centre)—was a complete sell-out, with a roomful of eager spectators ready to see how the dickens Nolan would manage such an ambitious undertaking.
A timeless warning about the perils of greed and isolation, ‘A Christmas Carol’ follows Ebenezer Scrooge, the Victorian miser who scowls at the very notion of joy or goodwill. On Christmas Eve he is visited by four spirits (including Marley, who was, lest we forget, dead to begin with), and the spook-stricken skinflint is forced to confront the path he has taken—ultimately finding redemption by embracing the spirit of the season.
Nolan handles the entire endeavour with remarkable flair. His ability to leap between roles, voices, and mannerisms is nothing short of riveting. From Scrooge’s crooked sneer and tightly wound posture to the booming joviality of the Spirit of Christmas Present, it’s a one-man masterclass in character work. Excellent sound design—including a few delightfully unexpected jump-scares—and atmospheric lighting enrich the experience further, while the Charterhouse’s gorgeous setting provides a sumptuous backdrop to a warm, witty, and wonderfully spirited retelling of a stone-cold classic.
For more details on Paul and other performances, click here.
