Visitors to the Old Royal Naval College this winter can enjoy a host of festive activities, including Goblin Theatre’s A Christmas Carol at the Painted Hall, Christmas carol services in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, and Museum Shop Sunday.
In the unique setting of the Painted Hall, Goblin Theatre will present a vibrant new adaptation of Charles Dicken’s classic tale A Christmas Carol from 3 – 23 December. Inspired by the Old Royal Naval College’s Dickensian links – the author often featured Greenwich in his books – Goblin Theatre’s adaptation will evoke the historical figures and ghosts of the Painted Hall to bring this iconic story to life.
Live music will be integral to this exciting new production and Fezziwig’s party will transform the Painted Hall into a real-life ceilidh with the cast performing the songs live. The Painted Hall Cafe is offering special Christmas treats before and after the show. Artistic Director Matt Borgatti said, “The production is very much set in the Painted Hall, and although we travel through time and space, it’s the place we return to throughout the show. This is one of our biggest shows yet, and we’re so delighted to be able to introduce our work to new audiences in Greenwich and beyond.”
From 22 November, the Old Royal Naval College pop-up Christmas shop will open on King William Walk, featuring gifts, cards, wrapping paper and Christmas decorations. For something extra special visitors can come to Museum Shop Sunday on 28 November, where there will be a range of special events including a ceramics workshop run by local ceramicist Fiona Veacock, an art and sketching workshop by local artist Edyth Peters, gin tasting with Gonzalo Ruiz of Greenwich Gin, and a Q&A an book signing with the authors of 111 Places in Greenwich, Solange Beechemin and Martin Dunford. There will also be a 20% discount on the day in the Visitor’s Centre and Painted Hall shops.
Visitors can also experience two Christmas carol services in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul in December. On 3 December, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice Carol Concert will retell the Christas story through carols led by Trinity Laban Chapel Choir, special readings and a torch-lit procession. Meanwhile on 5 December, Trinity Laban Chapel Choir will perform Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, BMV 248, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit.
There will be outdoor food and drinks stalls in the riverside grounds on 11 – 12 December and 18 – 19 December, whilst in the Painted Hall Cafe visitors can enjoy Christmas cakes, mulled cider and other festive treats from 27 November.
For more information and to book tickets for any of the events, please visit ornc.org.
