Christmas seems somewhat synonymous with Charles Dickens, and the Charles Dickens Museum is hosting a series of appropriate talks over the next few weeks.
In addition, all being well, the museum will reopen in December fully decorated for a Dickens Christmas.
‘The Artful Dickens’ – Prof John Mullan on the literary tricks of the master storyteller
Wednesday 25th November – 6pm to 7pm
£5
A talk by John Mullan about his latest book The Artful Dickens – The Tricks and Ploys of the Great Novelist.
In thirteen entertaining and wonderfully insightful essays, John Mullan explores the literary machinations of Dickens’s eccentric genius, from his delight in clichés to his rendering of smells and his outrageous use of coincidences. Dubbed ‘a Dickensian treat’ by The Times the book has received high praise all around. Join us to find out more about the research and journey that led to his latest publication.
Live online talk followed by Q&A
Twists and Turns: Explore the places that inspired Oliver Twist
Sunday 6th December – 11am to 12:30pm
£10
As a young up and coming writer, Charles Dickens spent many hours wandering the streets of London, observing and storing for later use, all he saw and experienced.
In 1837, Dickens moved to 48 Doughty Street (now the Charles Dickens Museum), and it was here that he wrote Nicholas Nickleby, and perhaps his most famous work of all, Oliver Twist.
On this walk follow in Dickens’s footsteps as he wandered the streets near his home, seeing places and hearing about people and events that inspired him to write Oliver Twist.
Virtual Talk: Dickens and Christmas by Lucinda Dickens Hawksley
Sunday 13th December – 5:30pm to 6:30pm
£8
Join Lucinda Dickens Hawksley and discover what Christmas was really like in the 19th century. Find out how Charles Dickens and his own family celebrated Christmas, and how Dickens’s stories helped to influence the way we celebrate today.
Using the research for her book, Dickens and Christmas, Lucinda will talk about the ways in which the festive season changed during her great-great-great-grandfather’s lifetime – from 1812-1870 – and how his Christmas writing captured the public imagination, and began a renewed fervour for all things Christmas.
Virtual Christmas Housemaid’s Tour
Tuesday 15th and Saturday 19th December – Various Times
£12
Dickens and his young family are out enjoying the festivities and during their absence, the housemaid is up to no good…
Whilst they are attending a Christmas Ball at the home of Ms Burdett-Coutts, their housemaid takes a break from her many duties and invites you to step through the original door of 48 Doughty Street and discover the secrets of the esteemed young writer and his growing family.
Walk in the footsteps of the celebrated young author as you enjoy an exclusive tour of Dickens’s ‘house in town’ filled with festive greenery.
Zoom is required to take part in this tour and live Q&A.
Virtual Show: Dominic Gerrard’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
Thursday 17th, Sunday 20th & Thursday 31st December – Various Times
Experience this celebrated production of A Christmas Carol online from inside Dickens’s London home. Filmed this year by candlelight, this beautiful, haunting, adaptation will follow Scrooge through the very rooms where Dickens lived and wrote. Featuring puppetry, and a Christmas soundscape.
Virtual Event: A Dickens Family Christmas
Tuesday 22nd December – 7.30pm to 8:30pm
£15
Join the extended Dickens family as they share memories from generations past and discuss all the vital ingredients of a Dickens family Christmas. We’ll learn which Victorian traditions have stood the test of time and the modern traditions that have been adopted by the family. The event includes a bonus as the family shows how to blend the perfect Smoking Bishop.
Zoom is required to take part in this event.
Virtual Live Performance: A Christmas Carol UNABRIDGED ~ Read by Dominic Gerrard
Wednesday 23rd December – 3pm to 9pm (inc breaks)
£10, £15 or £20
Join us on Zoom for a special live reading of Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol. No cuts and no revisions! Every beat of Scrooge’s Christmas will be told as Dickens first conceived it, in the winter of 1843.
Read in real time, by acclaimed actor Dominic Gerrard, this story will haunt your house pleasantly as you sit by the fire; wrap presents; or make your last minute Christmas preparations!
