Star of Australian film, TV and theatre, Erik Thomson, is set to play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol – Melbourne’s new festive tradition.
Erik is, of course, well known for his role as the head of the Rafter family in Australia’s top rating TV drama Packed to the Rafters. He won the AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2004 for his role in the film Somersault, and the Silver Logie in 2016 for his performance in Network Seven’s 800 Words, as well as for All Saints in 2003. He has been nominated a
further eight times for the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor Award.
His theatre credits include the sold-out season of MTC’s The Speechmaker, The Splinter for the Sydney Theatre Company, and Julius Caesar, Twelve Angry Men, All My Sons and Angels In America for the Auckland Theatre Company, and most recently, The Puzzle for State Theatre Company South Australia.
“I am excited and truly honoured to be joining this beloved and internationally renowned production of The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens’ masterful take on the essence of Christmas and its celebration of joy and connection, told through the redemption of the infamous tight-fisted debt collector Ebenezer Scrooge, is still as pertinent today as it was in the 19th century,” he said.
He will join stage and screen actor Alison Whyte, fresh from starring alongside Anthony LaPaglia in the much-lauded Death of A Salesman, as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Tim Wright – who recently played Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day the Musical and Bill Austen in Mamma Mia! – as Bob Cratchit; Tony Cogin in the dual roles of Marley and Father; Felix Star, who featured in the mini series Molly alongside Samuel Johnston, as Young Ebenezer; and Kaori Maeda-Judge, who starred as Meg in Little Women and Bertha in Hello Girls at Hayes Theatre this year, as Jess.
Returning cast include Aisha Adara as Little Fan; Kaya Byrne as Fred; Sarah Morrison as Belle, currently performing in the international tour of Miss Saigon; Stephanie Lambourn as Mrs Cratchit; Samantha Morley as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Grant Piro as Fezziwig; Cameron Taylor as Nicholas; Benjamin Colley as George; and Jack Van Staveren and Jasmine Vaughns as swings.
Winner of five Tony Awards®, the smash-hit Old Vic production of Charles Dickens immortal classic is conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical) and adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), audiences are welcomed into an immersive experience, brimming with music and merriment.
‘You’d have to be a real Scrooge to not be won over by this Christmas Carol’ The Age Filling the Comedy Theatre to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment, there’s no better way for families to get into the holiday spirit than immersing themselves in this classic story of greed, love and redemption.”
After premiering at London’s The Old Vic in 2017, A Christmas Carol has become a much-loved festive staple over the past seven seasons. The role of Scrooge has been performed by a raft of celebrated actors including Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill), Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead), Stephen Mangan, Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks), Paterson
Joseph, Owen Teale (Games of Thrones, Line of Duty) and Christopher Eccleston. This year will see John Simm (Life on Mars, Grace) in the role.
With scenic and costume design by Tony Award® winner Rob Howell, music and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Christopher Nightingale, lighting design by Tony Award® winner Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Tony Award® winner Simon Baker and movement by Lizzi Gee, A Christmas Carol is a festive delight.
It will play for a strictly limited festive season at the Comedy Theatre from 22 November, with tickets now on sale at christmascarolaustralia.com.au.
