Old Vic Schools Club 2 - 'A Christmas Carol'

Old Vic Schools Club 2 - 2025-26

In 2025-26, we have continued our partnership with the Old Vic theatre in London’s West End. We are part of the Old Vic Schools Club, an exclusive grouping with only 40 state secondary schools taking part. During 2025-26, a small group of learners will receive four workshops from the theatre as well as attend four West End shows – for free! There are 30 students involved with the programme.

After October’s first visit, students headed to the Old Vic again on Wednesday 3 December for the second production – an adaptation of Charles Dickens classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’. The theatre’s website describes the show’s “unique staging [which] immerses the audience in London’s longest running adaptation of this beloved festive favourite.” Students loved this production; when asked for the most valuable thing about the trip, one said, “How lighting, music and scenery can be combined to create a magical atmosphere.” Students also loved how the play portrayed ghosts on-stage as well as the musical elements and the inclusion of snow from the ceiling!

The week after the performance, the second workshop took place with staff from the theatre. It focused on costume alterations, with students using plain white school shirts and then adding accessories and other materials to make them more suited to the Victorian era. It was a fascinating session, deepening students’ understanding of what they had seen. Well done to everyone involved for great commitment to the workshops.