A Christmas Carol

What if Ebenezer Scrooge weren’t a bitter old man, but a woman?

A contemporary, theatrical Christmas classic featuring the Dutch Customs Orchestra, Gaia Aikman, Julius de Vriend, Max Hameeteman and Mees de Heus

A contemporary, theatrical Christmas classic by the Dutch Customs Orchestra, Gaia Aikman and others.
A surprising choice? Perhaps. But why on earth should Scrooge be a man? Times change – and the essence of Dickens’ story is timeless.

Together with three seasoned musical theatre performers – Julius de Vriend, Max Hameeteman and Mees de Heus – Gaia takes the audience on a journey into the dark yet wondrous world of Charles Dickens. Armed with the original story, a fast-paced theatrical narrative unfolds, in which the Dutch Customs Orchestra plays a leading role.

From Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley to the three spirits of Christmas: familiar scenes and characters come to life in a compelling blend of drama, musical theatre and symphonic wind music. A programme featuring an impressive original repertoire for wind orchestra, interspersed with much-loved Christmas classics.

But beneath the familiar Christmas story lies a question that is perhaps more relevant than ever:

What does Christmas mean today?

Is it a time of abundance, pressure to perform, FOMO and the perfect Christmas on social media? Or is Christmas ultimately about something else: caring for one another, connection and being together?
Dickens wrote *A Christmas Carol* almost two hundred years ago. Yet his story feels surprisingly relevant today. For whilst the world has changed, the question of what really matters may not have changed at all.

Experience *A Christmas Carol*: a Christmas classic for a new era, seen through fresh eyes and, above all, with plenty of music.