NIGHTSHADE Productions are moving indoors from their York Terror Trail spooks to present their own version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol on the cobbled Victorian street of Kirkgate at York Castle Museum from Monday.

"Step into the magic of a Victorian Christmas this December to enjoy an immersive and intimate version of the much-loved Dickens Christmas classic," says Damian Freddi, regular host of Nightshade's ghost walk experience.

"This month we'll take audiences on a walking tour along the cobbles as we travel through the story they know and love, introducing some unexpected twists and turns that lead infamous miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey of redemption and enlightenment to find the true meaning of Christmas."

Kirkgate will be decorated traditionally with garlands, holly and a huge Christmas tree and mince pies and wine will be served to complete Nightshade's Victorian Christmas evening.

Damian, Nightshade's owner, actor, writer and director, says: "Prepare for a production of A Christmas Carol like you have never seen it before and become a part of the experience as you interact with the characters to be drawn into the world of Charles Dickens.

York Press:

The cast of Nightshade Productions' A Christmas Carol on the cobbled street of Kirkgate at York Castle Museum: foreground, Graham Rollinson as Scrooge, Gemma-Louise Keane as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Mark Hindman-Smith, the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, and Lorna Ward, the Ghost of Christmas Present. Picture: Frank Dwyer

“The atmospheric setting of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, will provide the perfect backdrop to the evening and this mysterious, magical story that will see three ghosts take Ebenezer Scrooge to his past, present and future to find redemption and the true spirit of Christmas.”

Graham Rollinson will play Scrooge, joined in the cast by Gemma-Louise Keane, Lorna Ward and Mark Hindman-Smith as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come respectively.

Hindman-Smith also will play Jacob Marley; Ward, Mrs Fezziwig; Richard Thirlwall, Bob Cratchit/Young Scrooge; Jake Telfer, Nephew Fred; Elanor Dunn,Mary Cratchit/Belle; James Wright/Nigel Walker, Mr Tibbs/Mr Scrape; Oliver Lawery/Harry Speak, Tiny Tim; Damian Freddi, Mr Dobbs/Mrs Krillington, and Gavin Brooks, Charles Dickens.

Earlier this year, Nightshade responded to the refugee crisis by presenting a Hallowe'en special with a twist: The Hallows Gate, a new story by Damian Freddi that utilised their standard history tour format to raise awareness for the plight of refugees.

"The story involved a pair of tour guides who accidentally discover the secret to time travel and decide to use it to augment their tour," says Damian.

"This inadvertently sparked off a rebellion against the Ministry of Time who govern and protect the established timeline. Caught between forces they can’t control, the tour guides use their tour as an underground railroad. They smuggle refugees from the war in time into the present and give them new identities. This escalated into an immersive journey that spanned the atmospheric city streets and several years of York’s history."

Nightshade Productions' A Christmas Carol will be staged on December 5 to 7, December 10 and 11 and December 14 to 18 at 7pm. Tickets cost £20 per adult and £10 per child, and the two-hour performances are suitable for eight year olds upwards.

Tickets can be booked on 01904 687687 at yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk