A Christmas Carol

Four Forty Theatre are bringing A Christmas Carol to The Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey this December, with performances on Friday 18 and Saturday 19. It's a new adaptation by Alice Merivale, directed by Dom Gee-Burch, and it's a far cry from the slow-burn ghost story you might be expecting.

They describe it as an outrageous, fast-paced take on the original, with quick character changes, playful invention and a good deal of silliness. The company puts it in the same vein as the 'silliest Shakespeare you've ever seen' that they've staged before, so it's more about the energy and the laughs than a solemn retelling of Dickens' most famous holiday tale. It's recommended for ages 7 and up, which makes it a decent shout for a family outing if you've got younger ones to bring along.

There's one practical thing to keep in mind before you book: the Spanish Barn is unheated. It's a proper barn, so it'll be cold inside, and you'll want to dress for it. Doors open half an hour before each performance, so you've got a bit of time to settle in and get warm before the show starts.

As for when to go, there are three slots across the weekend. Friday 18 December runs from 17:30 to 20:00, and Saturday 19 December has a matinee from 13:30 to 16:00 followed by an evening show from 17:30 to 20:00. Tickets are £19.00 for adults and £17.00 for concessions, which covers 1196 members and children.