Description

This large play bill advertises a performance of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol at the New Adelphi Theatre, London. It differs from other 19th century playbills in that it is dominated by images, rather than text. The three central illustrations, depicting key scenes, are inspired by the original illustrations for A Christmas Carol by John Leech. Although the playbill is undated, we can assume that it ran during the Christmas season as it is advertised as a ‘HOLIDAY ATTRACTION!’.

This production was just one of many; the novel was so popular that by February 1844 eight theatrical productions had been staged.