THE TIGER LILLIES’ CHRISTMAS CAROL
IN THE TIGER LILLIES’ CHRISTMAS CAROL: A VICTORIAN GUTTER, THE POST-PUNK PIONEERS PRESENT A DARK MUSICAL TWIST ON CHARLES DICKENS’ CLASSIC.
In The Tiger Lillies’ Christmas Carol: A Victorian Gutter, the post-punk pioneers present a dark musical twist on Charles Dickens’ classic.
The trio dissect and reassemble the story that everyone knows to shine a light on the poverty and depravity laid bare on the cold London streets.
The show premiered in Southbank Centre in London in December 2021.
The world of The Tiger Lillies is dark, peculiar and varied, with moments of deep sadness, cruel black humour and immense beauty.
Their songs cover all the dark aspects of life, from prostitution and drug addiction to violence and despair. The music is a mixture of pre-war Berlin cabaret, anarchic opera and gypsy music. Part Grand Guignol, part seedy vaudeville, part grunge cabaret, The Tiger Lillies never cease to shock, surprise and entertain.
The Grammy-nominated band’s previous concerts and theatre shows have included Edgar Allan Poe’s Haunted Palace, The Ancient Mariner and the Olivier Award-winning Shockheaded Peter.
There is so much to admire in the writing of Charles Dickens. He tells wonderful stories . A Christmas Carol is one of the best. So writing a song cycle to tell the story was easy. The fact that Dickens characters are filled with insight into all our frailties and faults made that songwriting even more enjoyable. What’s so great about this story is Scrooge and his journey from selfish monster to regretful benefactor. It’s made comedic by the fact the three ghosts of past present and future literally terrify him into transformation. What a writer he was!
— Martyn Jacques
“Our musical version of Christmas Carol strips the story back to its fundamental narrative elements of social inequality and the ever present fear of death due to poverty and starvation. A haunting soundtrack of minimalist instruments capture the cold Victorian streets of London but also show the hope of human connection over greed and ignorance.
— Adrian Stout
REVIEWS:
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“All in all, this was a masterpiece in artistry, a performance by guys at the top of their game, a production that fills the soul with joy and dread. A piece that will stick with me for a long long time.””
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“It’s amazing that only three players can create such a complex and varied soundscape”.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The music is as glorious as ever… a twisted treat for fans and newbs alike.””
CREDITS +
Creative team Creator and writer Martyn Jacques
Additional dialogue / sound design Adrian Stout
Production designer Phil Eddolls (Phleds)
Lighting designers Jo Palmer, Nao Nagai and Joel Stanners
Scenic artist Jonny Dixon
Scrooge and Bob Cratchit costumes Cathy Eddolls
Ghosts, puppets Phil Eddolls
Stage Manager Darragh MacNeill
Sound Johnny Nolan
All songs written by Martyn Jacques
The Tiger Lillies
Martyn Jacques narration, vocals, accordion, piano, ukulele
Adrian Stout Scrooge, double bass, musical saw, theremin, guitar, vocals
Budi Butenop percussion
Management
Tim Whitehead
Sophie Seashell
Label Manager Martyna Lach
TRACKLIST +
1 Hunger 2 Cold Heart 3 Rot in Hell 4 Loveless Years 5 Screwed 6 Gutter 7 Bitter Tears 8 Wise 9 Ebenezer Snores 10 Poverty 11 Tiny Tim Cannot Win 12 Tuberculosis 13 Ignorance and Want 14 Mind Your Back 15 Nasty Guy 16 Nobody Came 17 It’s Time 18 Howling to the Moon 19 Merry Christmas 20 Love 21 Christmas Carol