John Thomson has been cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in Matthew Warchus’ acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol, which will play outside London for the first time in Salford this Christmas. The production marks the 10th anniversary of the Old Vic’s adaptation by Jack Thorne.

John Thomson will lead the cast as Scrooge in the production at the Lowry, running from 11 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. This marks the first time Matthew Warchus’ staging of the Dickens classic has toured beyond London.

The Old Vic’s artistic director Warchus returns to direct the show, which has become a seasonal fixture since its premiere in 2017. Adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne, it follows the story of Scrooge, a miser visited by four Christmas ghosts.

Warchus said he was “absolutely thrilled” to welcome Thomson to the role for the Salford run, praising him as a “wonderful performer” familiar to many from his screen work. Thomson described it as an “absolute honour” to play the legendary character and looked forward to entertaining audiences.

The creative team behind the production features Rob Howell on set and costume design, Christopher Nightingale as composer and arranger, Hugh Vanstone on lighting, Simon Baker on sound, and movement direction by Lizzi Gee. Grindrod Burton Casting and associate director Jamie Manton complete the core team.

Since its 2017 debut at the Old Vic, Thorne’s adaptation has reached almost a million people through performances in London, the US and Australia, as well as international streaming. The production has become a holiday highlight for contemporary theatre audiences.

Alongside the Salford run, the production will also return to the Old Vic for its tenth consecutive year, with Giles Terera reprising the role of Scrooge there. This dual staging highlights the enduring popularity of this interpretation of a Christmas classic.