A Penny Pincher’s Christmas Carol is back

In the long-ago days before the pandemic, A Penny Pincher’s Christmas Carol was a very popular local tradition. Now writers and performers John Knowles and Kate Tym are reviving their celebrated show. Bernard McGinley reports on some welcome festive cheer.

The yuletide extravaganza is a droll celebration of the meaning of Christmas, with a mix of anarchic humour (tick), local, topical and funny gags (tick, tick, tick), and lavish costumes and scenery (no of course not).

The production is their version of Charles Dickens’ classic festive tale, with songs, some dancing, magic of a kind, jokes, and humanity. This Carol is suitable for all ages from 6+, with audience involvement. It’s a stodge free, fast paced romp — a story of loving kindness and the true meaning of Christmas.

Horse & Groom

This year the Penny Pincher’s Christmas Carol is in St Leonards at the Horse & Groom pub at 4 Mercatoria (in the back room). Mostly performances are at lunchtime, with evening shows on the 22nd and 23rd:

Wednesday 20 December    1:30pm
Thursday 21 December         1:30pm
Friday 22 December              1:30pm & 7:00pm
Saturday 23 December         1:30pm & 7:00pm
Sunday 24 December            1:30pm (fully booked)

Tickets are available from Ticket Pass.

John Knowles is a Hastings-based award-winning writer, director, actor and producer. His play The Devil’s Doorbell received outstanding reviews in 2022, including at the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Lancashire. He and Kate Tym are contactable via fetchtheatre@gmail.com.

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