Please read this casting call carefully and only apply if you meet the role requirements and can fully commit to the production dates.
About the production
Tobacco Factory Theatres are casting for their upcoming in-house production of A Christmas Carol, written by Carl Grose (co-Artistic Director of Kneehigh, Tristan & Yseult, The Wild Bride, The Tin Drum, Ubu! A Singalong Satire, Dead Dog In A Suitcase (and other love songs), The Grinning Man) and directed by Heidi Vaughan (Artistic Director/CEO at TFT, Oliver Twist, A Winter’s Tale, Macbeth).
This is A Christmas Carol for now: a fierce, heart-lifting reminder that even in the longest night, light can be found. A story of reckoning and redemption. Of shadows that speak. Of ghosts, grit and generosity. Of a heart that must break open to be transformed – all unfolding in the unique, in-the-round intimacy of Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Haunting, joyful, and urgent, this thrilling new adaptation is unleashed through the watchful eyes of Jacob Marley and his unruly band of spirits. It promises to be utterly mischievous, menacing and full of festive fire.
We are aiming to primarily cast the production with local actors via open call and invited auditions. Please only apply to this open call if you live within 25 miles of Bristol. If we do not successfully cast all our actors from the local area, we will extend our search. If you are not local but are interested in applying, please do not submit your interest at this stage but do keep an eye on our social media for casting updates.
This is a professional production with a weekly wage of £660 plus holiday pay. You will be working under an ITC contract.
Key Production dates:
Rehearsals will take place in Bristol from Monday 19 October 2026; 10am – 6pm in Bristol.
Production week will take place in the week commencing Monday 16 November 2026, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol.
Preview performances will begin on Friday 20 November 2026, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol.
Opening performance is Wednesday 25 November 2026, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol.
The production will then run until Saturday 9 January 2027, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol.
Role descriptions:
Ebenezer Scrooge (male/masc presenting) – Miserly & cantankerous, ability to play their younger self and become warm & generous (Playing age range 40+).
Jacob Marley (Any gender) – World-weary, wise, frustrated, reluctantly playful – also plays Belle, Mrs Cratchit and others. (Playing age range 35+).
Ghost 1 (Any gender) – Playful, provocative, funny, mischievous, energetic, excitable, characterful – also plays Ghost of Christmas Present, Fezziwig, Clara and others. (Playing age range approx. 20-50).
Ghost 2 (Any gender) – Playful, provocative, funny, mischievous, energetic, excitable, characterful – also plays Ghost of Christmas Past, Fred, Tim Cratchit and others. (Playing age range approx. 20-50).
Ghost 3 (Any gender) – Playful, provocative, funny, mischievous, energetic, excitable, characterful – also plays Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, Bob Cratchit, Mrs Fezziwig and others. (Playing age range approx. 20-50).
Please note performers must have excellent physical storytelling ability and strong singing voices. Experience of ensemble work and multi-roling is essential, as all roles above will also be required to undertake this as part of the production.
Audition Process:
If you are longlisted for audition, you will be invited to send a short self-tape in which we will ask you to present a short section of text from A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens), bringing this to life as a piece of theatrical storytelling, and a song of your choice. We will provide the piece of text for you to work with but there will be no expectation that you will memorise this.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to an in-person workshop audition – incorporating movement, music and some exercises with the text. Script work will take place in small groups/individually. We will provide any text in advance for familiarisation purposes, but there is no expectation to learn or prepare anything. These workshops will be held on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th July 2026 in Bristol.
There may be the need to hold callback auditions on Friday 31st July 2026 in Bristol. These will only take place where needed to consolidate casting choices.
Equal Opportunities
Our vision is to build an inclusive creative community rooted in our home in South Bristol.
We want everyone who attends Tobacco Factory Theatres to feel equally welcome, respected and valued.
Whilst we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, we encourage applications from people whose identities or backgrounds are under-represented in the arts and cultural sector, especially those who face barriers to opportunities, people from working class backgrounds, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and particularly people from Black, Asian, traveller, mixed heritage or other global majority backgrounds.
Please feel free to contact artists@tobaccofactorytheatres.com to advise us of any access requirements related to the role or application process.
How to apply
Please read through the dates and role descriptions carefully and apply via email as follows:
Please add the following subject line to your email: A CHRISTMAS CAROL OPEN CALL: Name of the role you’re applying for.
Include your acting CV (preferably via spotlight link)
Include a recent, clear photo of yourself
Confirmation you are Bristol based
Include your singing ability and range (where possible)
Please send your application to artists@tobaccofactorytheatres.com by Friday 17 July 2026.
Please be specific about the role you are interested in, take the time to think about which role resonates with you the strongest, rather than listing all of them. We will always consider people for alternative roles alongside their initial choice.
If you have previously applied for casting consideration, please resend your application with the required subject line, so we know which role you would like to audition for on this occasion.
There will be at least two people reviewing each application.
We will be seeing in the region of 100 local actors for these roles. It is highly likely that we will not be able to accommodate all applications. If we don’t invite you for an audition then please be assured that this is no reflection on you or your talent, and it will not stand in the way of us seeing you for future opportunities.
Posted on 07 July 2026
