A Christmas Carol

The beloved timeless classic returns for the last time to Rovaniemi Theatre for Christmas season 2026.

Dramatization by Patrick Barlow   
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens 

An uplifting and touching classic  

The Rovaniemi Theatre approaches Christmastime with the charming and beloved classic, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. We will see tour-de-force acting, exhilarating characters, beautiful visuals and a warm and fresh reminder of the value of the Christmas spirit and the power of sharing life together. 

For people of all ages (age recommendation 7 up), this unforgettable story tells of Ebenezer Scrooge, who feels Christmas is ”humbug” and forces himself and his loyal clerk Bob Cratchit to embark on a laborious quest for making more profits – even through the Christmas holidays.  After a nocturnal visit from three spirits, Scrooge is faced with his own bittersweet past. The quirky spirits challenge him to scrutinize himself, the world outside him, Christmas, and to see them with new eyes. Layer by layer, his humanity starts to reveal itself. Finally, only catching a glimpse of his future is enough to make Scrooge understand the consequences of his actions.   

The play is based on Charles Dickens’ novella, published in 1843, that has since won over hearts worldwide in numerous stage adaptations and films.   

In Rovaniemi, the official city of Santa Claus, we see the dramatization by the renowned British playwright Patrick Barlow. In this fast-paced yet poignant stage adaptation, Barlow skilfully uses witty British humour. Music plays an important role in enhancing the story. The adaptation received accolades at London’s West End, and the Finnish premiere took place at the Rovaniemi Theatre in November 2024. 

The directing is by Johanna Freundlich and visuals by Mark Väisänen. This experienced and award-winning duo has worked together for years including, for instance, at the Finnish National Opera and the City Theatres of Turku, Helsinki, Espoo and Jyväskylä.  

The play has English subtitles. Please note that subtitles are only visible from rows 6-14. For the best experience with subtitles we recommend places from rows 10-14.

Ensemble

Cast Kari Koivukangas, Jussi-Matias Korhonen, Kylli Köngäs, Paula Miettinen, Siiri Partanen, Marko Syysmaa ja Timo Vuento sekä Samuel Heino, Ia Laiti, Juulia Poikela, Kaisa Ristiluoma and Tommi Semeri. Child extras will be published later.

Premiere

Wednesday 25th November 2026 at 18.00h

Venue

Lappia-hall, grand stage Tieva

Tickets

Adults 38 €, pensioners 34 €, children, students and unemployed persons 28 €

Family tickets:
– 3 people €92 (max 2 adults)
– 4 people €117 (max 2 adults)
– 5 people €145 (max 2 adults)

Duration

1 hour 50 minutes, including intermission

Age recommendation

7 years

Directors Word

Charles Dickens’s ”A Christmas Carol” is one of those works that can truly be described as being ahead of its time. No one had depicted, for example, children’s rights to a good life with the same warmth and dedication.

The structure of Dickens’ Christmas story is brilliantly simple; Scrooge, who is described in the book as so cold-blooded that he is covered in frost and that even guide dogs for the blind know how to avoid him from afar, encounters three spirits marched out by the ghost of his deceased business partner – the Spirits of Christmases Past, Christmas This and Christmases to Come. The first gives Scrooge a glimpse into his own past, the second into the lives of Scrooge’s fellow humans in the present, and the third into the nightmarish future that will take over if Scrooge does not change his ways.

These three appearances, along with Dickens’ magnificent characters, are a delicious point of departure for the director in the three-dimensional world of the stage work. What particularly touches me about Dickens’ story is that it is both magical and very closely connected to the real world. Both fairy-tale-like and opinion-provoking.

As a director, it has been a great pleasure to work on Dickens’ timeless classic for the stage.

Johanna Freundlich
Director

Reviews and articles

Lapin Kansa newspaper / Tenka Issakainen 1.12.2024

”Kari Koivukangas is perfectly suited to the lead role. This Scrooge is not like someone who has swallowed poison, but also knows how to show a polite face, which only emphasizes his chilling hatred of humanity.”

”The visual appearance created by Mark Väisänen is atmospherically stylish. The costumes are full of wrinkles and patterns, from Scrooge’s shovel to the rags of the underprivileged.”

”Minna Siitonen’s adaptations with accordion and violin cast a magical atmosphere. The concert of the poor and homeless is particularly touching.”

Read the article here (only in Finnish)

Uusi Rovaniemi newspaper / Marjis Ahvenjärvi 5.12.2024

”Johanna Freundlich’s direction breathes the warm glow of an old work. This performance dares to be in its own time and at the same time timeless. Mark Väisänen’s set and costume design creates a fairy tale of solid shapes and deep tones that the viewer loves to dive into.”

”It’s a joy to see the entire team succeed. The performance includes not only the theater’s own, competent staff, but also heart-melting and super-skilled child extras.”

”Rovaniemi Theatre’s A Christmas Carol is a strong and respectful interpretation of a classic work. It is a warm-hearted, touching and fresh reminder not only of the power of humanity but also of the eternal possibility of growth.”

Read the whole article here (only in Finnish)