On 9th November 1861, Charles Dickens went to the Royal Pavilion to give a public reading in the magnificent setting of the palace’s Music Room. The Brighton Gazette reported that he sent “a charge of emotion through the whole audience.”

This Christmas – on 13/14 December – you can experience what it must have been like to have been there.

Actor John O’Connor is faithfully recreating Dickens’ famous performance of his best-loved ghost story in the historic Music Room itself. ‘A Christmas Carol’ was the first public reading Charles Dickens gave of his own work; he enacted it over 150 times and the effect on the public was phenomenal. “The success was most wonderful and prodigious – perfectly overwhelming and astounding altogether!” he said after the first night.

Following on from last year’s sell-out tour, European Arts Company presents a captivating and heart-warming evening in aid of the children’s charity Barnardo’s. Many of Dickens’ early readings were for good causes and he was passionately interested in the welfare of the poor, and of children in particular. Using Dickens’ own performance script and a faithful recreation of his set, this is a wonderfully evocative evening and an acting tour de force.

Enjoy a seasonal treat in the spirit of Christmas past, present and future.  Tickets £22.50 / members £20 (includes an interval glass of white wine/soft drink in the Banqueting Room).