Behind the Scenes: A Christmas Carol

Christmas shows are magical, and in a special interview with Roger Dipper, who is playing Bob Cratchit at this years production of A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, Dream Escape brings you an intimate and exclusive look at one of the best...

Roger Dipper

Why is A Christmas Carol still loved by people of all ages?

A Christmas Carol stands out because it is a ghost story about Christmas. I now see how much Dickens basically shaped what we see as 'Christmassy' in the English-speaking world, with references to things like holly and sticky pudding. The year after A Christmas Carol came out, the first Christmas cards were produced.

What attracted you to your character Bob Cratchit?

I’ve played a lot of lighter, comedic characters, which I wouldn’t necessarily say Bob is. There are nice family jovial moments and Bob represents so many people, and goodness, hard work and resilience. I love Bob’s honesty, so as soon as this job came up, I said yes.

Why is this version of A Christmas Carol so special?

Because Matthew Warchus is a brilliant director. He is a man of few words and doesn’t direct with an iron rod. Matthew hires people who have an idea of what they want to do with the script, and he tweaks and does very subtle things that mould us to his vision. Matthew has pure fairy dust in his pockets.

Why are the themes in A Christmas Carol so relevant and especially important today?

The ghost of Christmas Present comes in and shows Scrooge the town from above: the butcher and baker are closed because they can’t keep up with their debts, so that’s very relevant, as shops close down all around us. It also reflects the precarious time we are living in. The show highlights the importance of charity and community. And at the moment that’s being tested because people are struggling and hopefully community will get us through. One phrase really stands out: the world is generally kind to those who change. Scrooge asks the ghost: am I past hope? I don’t think anyone is past hope.

What treats are in store for the audience?

All the creatives have been really clever, and our staging is unusual. In the rehearsal room we don’t talk about upstage, downstage, stage right, and stage left, but north, south, east and west, like on a map. The set is a series of walkways surrounded by the audience.

What’s so special about Jack Thorne’s writing?

Jack gets to the meat of scenes quickly, so we come in and out in flashes. The story has to zip along, and we’ve done a couple of runs now and the show just flies by. I think Jack’s writing really reflects what’s in the book. Jack said he wouldn’t write this script unless the children playing the Tiny Tims were genuinely disabled. I think that’s really important.

There are ghosts in the story. Which one would you like to be visited by and why?

The future is scary, so not that one. The past would be good as I’m a nostalgic guy and it would be nice to see my younger self through an older lens and learn from it. There’s a scene in the play that makes me sob every time I watch it: “I don’t want him to become me,” where Scrooge is talking about himself.

You are playing opposite Owen Teale as Scrooge (who was so menacing in Game Of Thrones). What is that like?

Owen Teale is a kind and generous actor who is lovely and wonderful. His piercing blue eyes are highly emotive. He is also a bit naughty and we have great fun in the rehearsal room. Owen is a proper leading man and a gentleman. He has all these wonderful stories and he knows absolutely everyone. Yesterday he was telling us about the film star Toni Collette’s recent party.

What is it like being in a Christmas show at Christmas?

Christmassy – although there is something funny about singing Christmas carols in September. I’ve worked most Christmases doing panto or other Christmas shows. Doing Christmas shows is hard work, as schedules are more intense. Acting casts are like having another family, as you become very close, but with Christmas there’s an extra sparkle to it.

How will you be celebrating Christmas?

I’m going back to Mum’s in Wimbledon with my sisters and our dogs. We go for a walk in Richmond Park and have a big dinner. We sometimes see other family, but we are probably just us this year, with our partners coming in and out. They are all coming to see me in the show on Boxing Day.

You were in the award-winning musical Matilda, what was that experience like?

Matilda is another one of Matthew’s shows with Tim Minchin’s music, so it’s wonderful. It’s a clever adaptation of a brilliant story and it looks simple but is incredibly complicated. I played in the ensemble and covered Mr Wormwood. There are so many shiny shows in the West End, such as Frozen and Mary Poppins, and what’s great about Matilda is that it doesn’t need frills, as the staging is so clever and magical.

Thinking ahead to 2023, what do you think the big must-see productions will be?

Hello Dolly is coming over from Broadway starring Imelda Staunton, but now she is working on The Crown, the timing has changed. I saw Bette Midler in the Broadway production who was fantastic. Groundhog Day, another Matthew Warchus show that I did a short run of at The Old Vic is supposed to be coming back. Emma Corrin is doing Orlando based on the Virginia Woolf book, that’s going to be great and then the revival of Noises Off by Michael Frayn is also coming into town.

Did you always want to be an actor and why?

I did without knowing it. I was always role playing and directing my sisters in plays and camcorder films. I did amateur dramatics and it was when playing the Artful Dodger in the musical Oliver when I was 13 years old that I knew I wanted to act. National Youth Theatre and then Arts Educational Drama School followed.

What advice would you give anybody who is thinking about pursuing a career as an actor?

If you believe in yourself and you know you need to do it then try. You have to find out who you are, as what will get you hired is you. The first thing they said to me at drama school is ‘if you are talented and you are nice then you will get work or you should work’. You have to be able to work closely with people as it’s a small industry.

What do you do in your downtime and what are your favourite places to visit in the UK and why?

I go travelling in my campervan. You can’t be an actor if you haven’t experienced stuff. I love meeting people, the outdoors, mountains and in particular Scotland and Wales. I visited

Cornwall last summer and had a great time. It’s so beautiful, Jurassic and exotic. I loved the tiny little town of Mousehole, which I called 'Mouse Hole' until I realised the locals call it 'Mowzol'. It is beautifully picturesque and quintessentially Cornish.

I’ve heard you work with Dream Escape clients, offering very special and exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences. Can you share with us something about that?

I love meeting people after the show, especially if they love theatre but don’t necessarily have anything to do with it. I show them backstage, the wings, the dressing rooms, scene dock, quick-change areas. I introduce them to the technicians and everyone who works backstage. People find it fascinating to look from the stage into the auditorium – that’s an unforgettable experience. I explain how tricks and special effects work. I’ve also led acting workshops and movement and dance experiences.

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Sally Strange, Client Relationship Manager

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WORDS | IAN MCCURRACH