A Victorian feast for the senses: immersive storytelling, dining and
live music transports audiences to Charles Dickens’ parlour on
Christmas Eve, 1843, and the very first telling of ‘A Christmas Carol’
Review by Stephen Gilchrist
What is a collection of critics/ Perhaps a ‘critique of critics’. Or maybe not! Anyway there were nine of us sat round our dining table at The Lost Estate’s immersive production, in which a Dickensian Christmas is imagined in London W14.
Amidst a splendid dinner of smoked salmon, roast duck and cake, and free flowing alcohol (‘Smoking Bishop’-that is, essentially mulled wine,- a traditional ‘Wassail’- mulled cider or ale- and an ‘Old Fashioned’) our table got into the intended spirit of the evening. I’m not a restaurant critic and will not forensically analyse our dinner, nor will I opine on the evening’s value for money for paying customers. What I can tell you, however, is that as a theatrical event this was an impressive and thoroughly enjoyable evening out.
The venue which I had previously visited for their, not entirely successful, Havana evening was now bedecked resplendently with Christmas cheer while in between courses a terrific actor, David Alwyn, took us through Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, a story which I believe should be compulsory reading by everyone at least once a year. He performed from four stage areas around the room situated at three points of the compass and centrally, against indicative settings, effects, well managed sound and lighting and accompanied by three excellent musicians who underscored the proceedings with soulful violin, cello and percussion to Steffan Rees musical direction and compositions.
Alwyn is an extremely engaging and suitably costumed host, as Dickens himself, welcoming us to his living room on Christmas eve for a reading of his ghostly chronicle. One-person performances of the Scrooge story have become somewhat ‘de rigeur’ these days but the story itself, of ghosts, ghouls and redemption, never fails to excite, and, importantly, to move and in Alwyn’s performance, this recital must count as a terrific retelling. His characterisation of each persona, his physical performance his easy segueing from one to another and his engagement with the audience, who are periodically required to help, is always impressive, and often magical. The audience are both part of the story and watching it. Alwyn works exceptionally hard and it certainly pays off. Over and above the drama and sometime anachronistic humour, his presentation is often precious, moving and sincere, particularly so at the conclusion of the narrative.
In Adam Clifford’s adaptation and under Simon Pittman’s direction the producers have shown a lot of care and love in the physical production. The staff and servers are smartly costumed, and uniformly welcoming, often in character. Much credit must be paid to Peter Small, the lighting designer and, by Jove, there are an awful lot of lamps amidst Dickens’s festooned living room which are exceptionally well managed to maximum effect. Likewise the sound design by Sebastian Frost provides some booming effects amid the ghostly visitations. .
Among my tableful of reviewers, I had a great time and left fully satisfied, well fed and entertained, and as an hors d’oeuvre to Christmas Day itself, I can thoroughly recommend this event to put you in the mood!
What: The Great Christmas FeastWhere: The Lost Estate, 9 Beaumont Ave, London W14 9LPWhen: Friday 14th November 2025 –Sunday 4th January 2026Tickets: Classic Dining tickets from £139.50, Charlie’s Circle (private table) from £179.50 and VIP from £249.50 plus booking feesNearest Station: West Kensington tube (2min) and Earls Court tube (10min)Evening performances are at 7pm (doors from 6pm) and matinee performances are at 1pm (doors from 12noon). November evenings will be Tuesday to Sunday with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. December will have evening and matinee performances Monday to Sunday, with 24th and 31st, matinee performances only.MENU●Starters: Choice of Potted Rare Breed Beef, Hot Smoked Salmon, or Potted Cheese (v), each served with seasonal jellies, relishes, pickled vegetables and soda bread.●Main Course: Confit Gressingham Duck Leg with festive trimmings, or a vegetarian Pithivier of King Oyster Mushroom with shiitake, winter herbsand rich jus.●Dessert: Traditional Christmas Pudding with brandy ice cream and crème anglaise.
TICKET PRICING DETAILS●Classic Dining -From £139.50, shared tables with a three-course festive banquet and immersive Christmas Carol experience.●Charlie’s Circle -From £179.50, private table seating with welcome drink, coat check, three-course banquet and Christmas Carol experience.●Charlie’s Circle “Royale” -From £249.50, VIP seating with Champagne and canapés on arrival, after-dinner digestif, priority entry, check-in and coat check, plus three-course banquet and Christmas Carol experience.
