- it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
This December, Auckland Live will partner with acclaimed Australian company Shake & Stir Theatre Co to bring the award-winning stage spectacle - Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to The Civic in Auckland. The strictly limited season of eight performances runs from Tuesday, 2 December to Sunday, 7 December, with four weekend performances for the whole family to attend.
It’s Christmas Eve, and Ebenezer Scrooge is counting down the seconds until the silliness of the season passes. Deeply entrenched in his own misery, Scrooge receives a visit from four ghosts who whisk him away on a journey through Christmases past, present and future. Here, he revisits fragments of his life and is faced with a number of choices. Redemption is his for the taking – but is Old Scrooge capable of changing his ways before it’s too late?
This magical, grand-scale production is brimful of song, humour, love, and lashings of festive joy. Shake & Stir’s A Christmas Carol has become a much-anticipated annual tradition in Australia, and since its 2018 premiere, this heart-warming stage show has captured the hearts of over 127,000 people across seven return seasons.
Hailed as one of Dickens’ most popular pieces of fiction, A Christmas Carol remains one of the longest-running, most-adapted, and most-relevant holiday stories. Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s Artistic Director, Ross Balbuziente, says, “Its sentiment resonates more profoundly than ever, reminding us of the enduring themes of love, forgiveness, and generosity that make the holiday season truly magical.”
Complete with live music, yule-tide carolling, innovative video design, lavish costumes and, of course, snow, A Christmas Carol, is quite simply “the most uplifting theatrical experience you’ll have this year.” (The Courier-Mail).
A Christmas Carol joins Tāmaki Makaurau’s already strong line-up of renowned city-based festive activities, including Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square (full line-up to be announced later this month), The Royal NZ Ballet returning with The Nutcracker, crowd favourite Love Actually Live in Concert and the annual Farmers Santa Parade, to name a few.
Daniel Clarke, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Performing Arts, leading Auckland Live, says, “ We’re delighted to be working with Shake & Stir Theatre Co to bring A Christmas Carol to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This award-winning show is more than just a beloved classic – it’s about sharing a timeless story of hope, redemption and community. I can’t wait for audiences to experience this work.”
Auckland Live is proud to partner with Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai for this special season of A Christmas Carol.
“Thanks to the generosity of our community, Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai helps people find stability, connection and hope. At Christmas especially, the Mission is dedicated to bringing joy to those who might otherwise go without — from festive meals to gifts under the tree. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol reminds us that compassion can transform lives. While written in another time, its message is just as true today. As you enjoy this performance, we warmly invite you to make a donation this Christmas to help the Mission bring the joy of Christmas to people across our city.”
- Carol Herbert, Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai Community Fundraising Specialist
Complete with live music and carolling, innovative video design, lavish costumes and, of course, snow, A Christmas Carol, is “the most uplifting theatrical experience you’ll have this year.” (The Courier-Mail).
It’s the perfect Christmas play, really, and now I want to see it again. And again. And next year as well.
The Courier-Mail
★★★★★ Phenomenal … I can honestly say this is the best show I’ve seen all year.
Broadway World
★★★★★ Superb. The visual elements surpasses anything we’ve seen before.
XS Entertainment
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Civic
Tuesday 3 - Sunday 7 December
Tue - Fri: 7.30pm
Sat: 2pm & 7.30pm
Sun: 2pm & 6pm
Ticket info:
Allocated seating $30 - $89*
Family $192 - $250* (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children)
Groups 6+ $48 - $63.20* per person
*service fees apply.
For information, please visit aucklandlive.co.nz
