Christmas Eve night a cold-hearted miser is visited by four ghosts. Transported to worlds past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses what a lifetime of fear and selfishness has led to and sees with fresh eyes the lonely life he has built for himself. Can Ebenezer be saved before it’s too late? THE YOUNG VIC 66 THE CUT SE1 8LZ 020 7922 2922 The Jungle To 6 January by Joe Murphy & Joe Robertson Okot wants nothing more than to get to the UK. Beth wants nothing more than to help him. Meet the hopeful, resilient residents of“The Jungle”– just across the Channel, right on our doorstep. Join refugees and volunteers from around the world over fresh baked naan and sweet milky chai at the Afghan Café. How To Win Against History 30 December Book, Music and Lyrics by Seiriol Davies The 5th Marquis of Anglesey was one of the world’s wealthiest men until he lost it all by being too damn fabulous. A riches- to-rags story becomes a hilarious, ripped-up musical in an outrageous performance by Seiriol Davies and the company. MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY 53 SOUTHWARK STREET SE1 1RU 020 7378 1713 Barnum Book by Mark Bramble To 3 March Barnum tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, who combines razzle-dazzle with charm and brass to sell“humbug”to cheering crowds. A joyful and moving musical portrait of the nineteenth century’s greatest show-biz legend, Barnum is a colourful, dynamic spectacle full of circus, side-show legends, toe-tapping songs and immense heart. SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE 77-85 NEWINGTON CAUSEWAY SE1 6BD 020 7407 0234 Mother Courage and her Children by Bertolt Brecht To 9 December In a land ravaged by war, Mother Courage pulls her cart with her three children in the wake of the army, trading with soldiers and attempting to make profit from the war. Widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, Brecht’s Mother Courage And Her Children has been described as the greatest anti-war play of all time. Dear Brutus by J. M. Barrie To 30 December 1917. In a remote English village there are rumours of an enchanted wood. One of the inhabitants – a mysterious old man – invites eight strangers to stay. They all have something in common. When, one evening, the wood miraculously appears the guests feel compelled to enter. What happens there has the power to change their lives forever… P H O T O B Y S C O T T R Y L A N D E R Josie Lawrence is stunning in the leading role of Mother Courage The Jungle at Calais is re-created at the young Vic | C U L T U R E | THE RIVER MAGAZINE | Winter 2017 23