SHORT READ: An affectionate celebration of the real places behind this timeless classic. A revealing virtual tour of the City Dickens knew so well.
DATES: Sunday, December 1st at 19:00; Saturday , December 7th at 19:00; Sunday, December 15th at 19:00; Sunday , December 21st at 19:00; Tuesday , December 24 at 19:00; and Tuesday December 31st at 19:00.
LONGER READ: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol lies at the heart of the festive season; reinvented and celebrated down through the years. This virtual tour explores the heart of this enduring story in its original setting, the old City of London. Here, where Dickens himself explored and studied every nook and corner, so too Ebenezer Scrooge walked from his counting-house to his melancholy tavern and even more dismal lodgings. But where were they? Where was Jacob Marley buried, and how does this help explain his unquiet spirit? From Bob Cratchit’s icy slide on Cornhill, to the City churches ringing out their peals on Christmas morning – “Golden sun-light; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells” – it is all here for discovery and delight.
Meet your guide. Richard IV’s voice is a Stradivarius. (He’s a mainstay of that www.audible.co.uk lineup of professional readers, which in itself speaks volumes, so to speak.) Long and short of it is he’s a joy to listen to. As this podcast attests to. It’s a suave, intelligent introduction leading into a full and wonderful reading by Richard of one of Dickens’ less well known Christmas stories. We’re lucky, all of us – he’s gifted it to us for this Christmas. Enjoy. Not that I need enjoin you to do so.
Margaret –
I highly recommend this virtual tour. So interesting to see the many atmospheric locations related to A Christmas Carol. One highlight for me was Richard flipping through photos of City church bell towers as he read a brief selection from the story when Scrooge hears the “churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard…”. This virtual tour was a marvelous way to kick off the festive season.
Amy –
Wonderful tour! Richard is a wonderful and knowledgeable guide. Our family thoroughly enjoys going on virtual walks with him around London.
Tracey Cobbett –
Richard was a fantastic guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our private tour. Wholly recommended.