One of the stars of BBC comedy This Country will play Ebenezer Scrooge in a production of A Christmas Carol at Cheltenham Ladies’ College’s Parabola Arts Centre.
Actor Paul Cooper’s chaotic, comic Scrooge will be supported by Parabola’s own Theatre Studio ensemble in the laugh-out-loud new adaptation of Dickens’ classic.
Cooper is best known for playing Martin Mucklowe, father to Kerry and uncle to Kurtan in This Country, written by and starring his own children, Charlie and Daisy-May Cooper.
Cooper said: “Scrooge is a gift of a part to play, and this version gives him real mischief and energy without losing the heart of the story. It’s a proper family show, and I’m looking forward to bringing it to the Parabola Arts Centre for what I understand is a first for the venue.”
Kieran Mortell, director of the production, said: “We’ve had enormous fun turning the story inside out, placing Dickens himself at the centre of the action. The result is a fast-paced theatrical adventure full of comedy, live music and heart. The production doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it also remains rooted in the extraordinary emotional power of Dickens’ classic story.”
A Christmas Carol plays at the Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, on selected dates between 10 and 31 December 2026. Tickets start from £19 for an adult ticket and are available here.