Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN
Visitors can expect a thrilling musical show of a classic Christmas story, carols and more this festive season at the Old Royal Naval College. With Goblin Theatre’s A Christmas Carol coming to the Painted Hall, Christmas carol services in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul and Museum Shop Sunday, there are plenty of festive treats for everyone.
In the magnificent, unique setting of the Painted Hall, Goblin Theatre will present a vibrant new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s spooky classic tale A Christmas Carol from 3rd-23rd December. Inspired by the Old Royal Naval College’s Dickensian links – the author was a fan of Greenwich and often featured the area in his books – Goblin Theatre’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol evokes the historical figures and ‘ghosts’ of the Painted Hall to bring this iconic ghost story to life. This fast-paced, funny and spooky show is the perfect festive treat.
Live music is integral to this exciting new production and Fezziwig’s party transforms the Painted Hall into a real-life ceilidh with the cast performing the songs live. The cast is comprised of Victoria Boyce (Father Christmas at the Hall, Royal Albert Hall), Matt Burns (Once, UK tour), Niccolò Curradi (La Strada, UK tour/The Other Palace), Rob Gathercole (The Ballad of Rudy, Goblin Theatre) and Mia Jerome (The Lost Lending Library, Punchdrunk). This thrilling site-specific production is directed by Andrew Barry (Royal Exchange Theatre Elders Company), with music by Goblin Theatre’s resident composers Mary Erskine and Will Dollard, and book by Goblin Theatre’s Artistic Director Matt Borgatti. The Painted Hall Café is offering special Christmas treats before and after the show.
Artistic Director Matt Borgatti comments, “The production is very much set in the Painted Hall, and although we travel through time and space, it’s the place we return to throughout the show. This is one of our biggest shows yet, and we’re so delighted to be able to introduce our work to new audiences in Greenwich and beyond.”
Come and do some Christmas shopping on Museum Shop Sunday for goodies for friends and family. On the day there will be special events including a Ceramics Workshop run by local ceramicist Fiona Veacock, an Art and Sketching Workshop by local artist Edythe Peters, Gin Tasting with Gonzalo Ruiz of Greenwich Gin, and a Q&A and book signing with the authors of 111 Places in Greenwich, Solange Beechemin and Martin Dunford. There will also be a discount on the day of 20% off in the Visitor’s Centre and the Painted Hall shops. From 22nd November, the Old Royal Naval College ‘pop-up’ Christmas shop will open on King William Walk, with gifts, cards, wrapping paper and Christmas decorations.
Experience two beautiful Christmas Carol services in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul in December. This neoclassical chapel is the perfect setting for an evening of festive carols with its decorative interior designed by James Athenian Stuart. Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice Carol Concert will retell the Christmas story on Friday 3rd December through carols led by Trinity Laban Chapel Choir, special readings and a torch-lit procession. Trinity Laban Chapel Choir will perform Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit on Sunday 5th December.
There will be outdoor food and drink stalls in the riverside grounds, on 11th – 12th and 18th – 19th December, perfect for a warming mulled wine. In the Painted Hall Café, visitors can enjoy Christmas cakes, mulled cider and other festive treats from 27th November.
Website www.ornc.org
Tickets Old Royal Naval College and events tickets available online at www.ornc.org/booktickets
