13 Dec 2025
Deborah Heath heads to the Vintry Garden for OVO’s annual festive tradition…
The build up to Christmas would not be complete without the annual OVO outdoor Dickens offering. In the past they have given us a promenade performance of ‘The Chimes’ that took us through the streets of St Albans but in recent years have opted for ‘A Christmas Carol’; the ever-popular tale with a warming social message.
One would think this might get a bit repetitive, but this is not so because OVO are the masters of reinvention, making changes to the script, set and in this case venue.
It worked extremely well at the Roman Theatre for the last three years but in 2025 they have moved their interactive theatrical experience to the Vintry Garden. With the Cathedral as a backdrop the atmosphere was all-encompassing, successfully transporting us back in time.
The Gardens have their own interesting history boasting trees from as far back as the reign of Charles II. Built on the burial site of the Abbey’s own monks, it is a fitting setting for a historical ghost story. The enclosed nature of the Garden meant that OVO could use every nook and cranny of the space without the worry of passers-by walking through at a poignant moment as happened when I saw ‘The Chimes’ a few years ago!
We were welcomed into the space, given a song sheet and directed to the bar where they served a delightfully sweet and spicy mulled wine as well as what I am told is a mean hot chocolate.
The covered seating area was bedecked with fairy lights which combined with the seasonal music and drink created a cosy Christmas atmosphere from the outset. We were joined by other audience members making a total of about 30, which struck the right balance between intimacy and the buzz of a small party.
This proved useful later when we attended the Fezziwigs’ Christmas bash!
OVO’s storytelling concept is that a group of carol singers act out the story of ‘A Christmas Carol’ for us but they need help with a few roles meaning that some roles, including the Cratchit children, were represented by members of the audience. It gave a lovely collaborative feel.
The scenes are interspersed with group carol singing too, for which the laminated weather-proof lyric sheets were helpful. Even my cool 15-year-old, who is a reluctant theatre goer at the best of times, was persuaded to take on the role of Young Scrooge. He even joined in with the group dancing which proves how talented this group of actors were at achieving audience participation and a welcoming atmosphere.
It appears he was in good company as at the Hitchin version of this production, which takes place at the British Schools Museum, the comedian Richard Herring took the role of Tiny Tim. Word is clearly getting around, making this a destination show!
The hardworking cast of five were superb at multi-rolling and audience interaction. In particular I enjoyed Will Kirkham’s trainee chorister, Frankie, Isaac Pengelley’s Bob Cractchit, Alexander McMorran’s Scrooge, Alice Evangeline Croot’s ghosts and Monica Sharp’s Mrs Fezziwig. This theatrical style can only work with a versatile cast such as this under the experienced and skilled direction of Mark O’Sullivan who also adapted the story.
Given that I strongly encourage any readers who have not yet booked a ticket to do so quickly, I do not want to give away too much. For while I expect that most of us know the story, I don’t want to spoil the surprises of how OVO skilfully tell it.
However, in terms of interactive scenery, do watch out for Jacob Marley’s appearance in the door knocker and the graveyard scene which were particularly well executed. Well done to Simon Nicholas for his excellent set design which is no straightforward matter in a heritage setting such as this. Costume (Cieranne Kennedy-Bell), puppet-making (Vanessa Baker and Jenny O’ Sullivan) and technical design (Martin Ruff) were of a very high standard as I have come to expect from OVO. These elements combined with Kezia Tomsett’s music enhanced the themes and general cosy creepy vibe.
We left this marvellous experience (for it is more than a play) feeling that we had been back in time, to a party, to a carol service and undergone a life lesson that warmed us to the core. OVO’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a really clever, funny and well executed piece of interactive theatre in a beautiful setting. If you can’t manage to get tickets for this venue, they are also performing at the Hitchin Schools museum.
This must-see show runs until December 31. Book tickets here.
