In this brilliant new interview with this year’s A Christmas Carol adaptor/director Mark O’Sullivan, you’ll discover a little of what’s new in 2025, Mark’s inspiration for the adaption and what he hopes audiences will take away this year. A Christmas Carol returns by popular demand for a fourth season – at the new venue of the Vintry Garden in St Albans, and, for the first time, in Hitchin at the magnificent British Schools Museum. Read on!
Can you tell us what’s updated and different in the show this year?
We’ve given the script a little festive refresh, introduced a new character, and squeezed in as much new fun – and pathos – as we can. Working with a largely new cast, we’re finding new things in every scene, which is always exciting!
Tell us about your history with the story of A Christmas Carol .
I have a really long personal history with this story because it was the first play I did any primary school – I played Scrooge in the Holy Family Primary School production of A Christmas Carol in, I think, around 1987. And then it was my first professional acting job, and it was also the first show I ever directed many years ago. So when the opportunity came up to do a version for OVO, I couldn’t say no.
Can you tell us what you love about the story?
It’s a very universal story – we’re all affected by our past, we all have things we look back on fondly, and things we regret. That’s what I love. Watching someone open their heart to what is really important – people, friendships, kindness, love. We could all do with a bit of that sometimes. And I don’t think there’s any story that comes closer to what we know as Christmas than this.
In making the adaptation what were your guiding principles or ambitions?
I wanted to tell a really faithful version of the story, but in a way that made it even more fun and energetic for our audiences. I’ve tried to use text from the original story as much as possible – even in moments that aren’t scenes from the story itself (like when we’re with the carollers). But with the very occasional comic twist. I also wanted to involve the audience as much as possible, and I think this version does that in a way that’s great fun, with the Carol singers being the ones telling the story. There’s a little secret element to this, which only a few people get – about who the Carollers really are. I wonder how many people will work it out this year!?
Can you tell us why you think Vintry Garden will be a special place to see the show?
It’s a perfect setting – not only is the garden atmospheric and magical, but we have the beautiful, looming, illuminated Cathedral behind us as well. That’s a dream backdrop! I cannot wait to see everything in place – the set, the lights… and the bar (with OVO’s famous Mulled Wine!)
Tell us about your connection with the Hitchin version of the show?
I’ve lived in and around Hitchin for the last 25 years or so and I just had a feeling that it would work really well at the British Schools Museum. So we visited and talked to them just less than a year ago, just after Christmas in fact, and had a walk around and could instantly visualise it. It’s going to be so atmospheric.
Can you describe one or two of your favourite scenes?
Oh, that’s a hard question – I genuinely love the whole show. But, if I absolutely have to choose… I always look forward to meeting the Fezziwigs, as not only are they very jolly, but we also get a glimpse Scrooge as a young man, before his money became the most important thing in his life. This year, each venue is so unique that many scenes are going to be getting an extra helping of magic from the setting – St Albans Cathedral behind the Fezziwigs party, the scene in Scrooge’s past where we meet the schoolboy version of him – in an actual Victorian schoolroom!
Finally, what do you hope audiences will take away the show?
There really is something for everyone in this show. The original story, faithfully told, for us Dickens aficionados, some silliness and audience participation for younger audience members, jokes for grown ups, and stockings-full of heart for everyone who loves Christmas.
But, most of all, I hope people leave saying the thing we heard over and over and over again last year – that seeing OVO’s A Christmas Carol really does feel like Christmas has begun!
To book, or for more information on the production, click the link below!
