Joseph Ziegler. Photo Cylla Von Tiedemann

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Michael Shamata

A story of love, generosity and second chances, it takes us through the darkness and into the light of true joy and celebration!

This adaptation is Toronto’s annual holiday tradition, produced by Soulpepper Theatre, in the Victorian Distillery district.  It’s the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose heart, wounded in his youth, has been shut up and frozen.  We follow his journey back to his past, through the present, and into the future, in the company of three larger-than-life spirits, who urge him to reconsider the choices he has made.

It is set apart from other adaptations by its faithfulness to Dickens’ original.  With a modern-day prologue that introduces it as “a ghost story,” this adaptation focuses on the heart and humanity of this always-relevant tale.  Touching, hilarious and magical, with plenty of Christmas spirit for all.

A superb production … sublime

The Globe & Mail

Couldn’t possibly be better…the best holiday show I know…guaranteed to fill your heart, lift your spirit and moisten your eyes.

Toronto Star

a Christmas ghost story with soul…a visual delight

Times Colonist

Production Details

7 Male

5 Female

Children are required for performance

 Two acts Approximately 2 hours, including Intermission

By Michael Shamata

Purchase Play Script

May 16, 2011

PAST EVENT: A Christmas Carol – Soulpepper Theatre (Toronto, ON) December 6 – 29, 2019

March 3, 2011

PAST EVENT: A Christmas Carol – Soulpepper Theatre (Toronto, ON) December 7 – 24, 2018

February 19, 2011

PAST EVENT: A Christmas Carol – Powerhouse Theatre (Vernon, BC) November 28 – December 8, 2018

December 25, 2010

PAST EVENT: A Christmas Carol – Gateway Theatre (Richmond, BC) December 7 – 24, 2017

Production History

First produced in 1990 at Theatre New Brunswick, Fredericton.
December, 1997 – Grand Theatre, London
 2001 – Present – Soulpepper Theatre, Toronto
November – December, 2007 & 2017  – Globe Theatre, Regina
December 2011 & 2017 – Persephone Theatre, Saskatoon
December, 2012, 2015 & 2017 – The Belfry Theatre, Victoria
December, 2017 – Gateway Theatre, Richmond
November-December, 2018 – Powerhouse Theatre, Vernon, BC
Published in 1996 – Playwrights Guild of Canada

'A Christmas Carol' at the Belfry Theatre, 2015

'A Christmas Carol' at Soulpepper Theatre (2001-Present)

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