A Christmas Carol - A One-Man Performance

Christmas plans often involve the usual festive markets or films, but if you are looking for something a bit different this year, Mat Jones is bringing his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol to Brighton on 23 December 2026. This isn't a modern reimagining or a flashy adaptation; the performance is based on Charles Dickens’ original reading script. The idea is to strip back the production and focus entirely on the storytelling, aiming to recreate the atmosphere of how the story was shared 183 years ago. It runs for about an hour and a half, which makes for a fairly contained evening out, especially if you are trying to balance festive commitments with a bit of downtime.

If you are planning to go, there is a small detail to keep an eye on regarding the location. The information currently available shows a discrepancy between sources: VisitBrighton lists the venue as All Saints in Patcham (Church Hill), while Eventbrite points towards All Saints in Hove (The Drive, BN3 3QE). It is worth double-checking the address on your ticket or the booking confirmation before you head out to ensure you end up at the right church. Tickets are priced at £21.00, which covers the standard entry for the performance. Given the time of year, it is probably safer to verify the specific location details provided by your booking platform to avoid any confusion on the night.

Regarding what to expect, the performance has been described by ReviewsHub as a "bravura performance" and a "perfect antidote to the excesses of the season," which aligns with the minimalist approach Jones takes. Yup also noted that "you do not need spectacle to be spellbound," suggesting that the focus remains firmly on the text itself rather than elaborate stage effects. It seems like a straightforward option if you enjoy classic literature or theatre and want to experience the story in a more traditional, stripped-back format before the Christmas rush fully sets in. It is a specific type of event—focused on the spoken word—so it might appeal more to those who prefer a quieter, more reflective evening compared to the louder, more commercial events happening around the city at that time.