Award winning actor Patrick Ryecart will lead the cast of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Cirencester’s Barn Theatre.

The Olivier Award nominee will be playing the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

The new adaptation by renowned writer Alan Pollock will also feature original music and lyrics by Finn Anderson.

Olivier Award nominee Patrick can currently be seen in the hit TV series about the Royal Family The Crown, while other credits include Poldark and the movie - The King’s Speech.

“Scrooge is a joy for any actor to play,” Patrick explained.

“It is a huge challenge, Alastair Sim’s version was amazing and it will be interesting to see what direction Phil (Bartlett, the director) goes with.

"Scrooge does not realise he is horrible as he is sculpted by his father and his circumstance so it will be challenge to try and play this large character.

“It is a pleasure to work with the young, vibrant and enthusiastic team at The Barn.

"I have grandchildren and this is a Christmas show so it is wonderful and a pleasure to be a part of.”

The Barn’s reimagined actor-musician production of Charles Dickens’ festive masterpiece runs at The Barn Theatre from November 28 – January 4, 2020.

The production is the final instalment of The Barn’s highly successful 2019 season of in-house Built By Barn productions.

Alan Pollock said of his new adaptation: "Almost everyone knows this fantastic story.

"But every time I see or hear it I wonder 'why is Scrooge like he is? What made him this way?''

The full A Christmas Carol company includes Bronte Alice-Tadman, Jonathan Charles, Tom Chudley-Evans, Laura Coates, Connor Going, Grace Liston, Nuwan Hugh Perera and Rosie Zeidler.

The role of Tiny Tim will be played by Trixie Cook, Georgia Dibbs and Scarlette Lavery.