The Chimes

£22 Adult
£20 Concession

You may purchase a concession ticket if you are over 60, are a student, have a disability, are attending as a carer to someone with a disability, receive universal credit or have a blue lights card. 

Tuesday 10th December at 4pm
Thursday 12th December at 4pm
Wednesday 18th December at 4pm
Friday 20th December at 4pm

Performances last appx 60 mins. 

The performance takes place in 'The Smallest Theatre in the World.' Doors will open 10 minutes prior to the start time.

Please note: The performances begin promptly, and due to the size of the theatre, no latecomers will be admitted. 

Book your tickets here or contact our Events Team at events@dickensmuseum.com

Full entry to the museum and exhibition are included within this event. Please visit the historic house before the performances.  

Special event tickets are non-refundable. 

"Spirits of the bells. Their sound upon the air... they take such shapes and occupations as the hopes and thoughts of mortals..."

This December, join us for a stunning solo performance of one of Dickens's lesser known festive tales: The Chimes. 

Encounter Trotty Veck, a good hearted but discouraged messenger who has lost faith in humanity. Called to and haunted by the bells of a nearby church, Trotty embarks on a magical, midwinter journey as he falls into a world of ghosts, omens and true Dickensian adventure. A tale which was inspired by Dickens's time in Genoa, this beautiful and haunting tale evokes the coming of the New Year as a time to cherish our loved ones, and understand our own importance to the happiness of those around us. 

May the New Year be a happy one to you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you!

The Chimes is performed by James Swanton, who took Dickens to the West End’s Trafalgar Studios in the acclaimed Sikes & Nancy (‘fantastical … remarkable … startling and enthralling’ – Simon Callow) and has also performed all five of the Christmas Books at the Charles Dickens Museum (‘extraordinary … superb … it couldn’t have been more vivid!’ – Miriam Margolyes). Over the last year James has played title roles in two BBC chillers: 'The Curse of the Ninth' in Inside No. 9 and Lot No. 249, Mark Gatiss's annual ghost story, for which The Telegraph called James 'the scariest man on TV this Christmas'. 

This promises to be a seasonal treat like no other.

 Book now or for further enquiries please contact events@dickensmuseum.com

 Entry to the museum and exhibition are included with the ticket to this performance. Please visit the museum and exhibition before the performance start time. 

'An incredible presence on stage … This is storytelling at its finest, no post-modern irony or knowing asides needed’ – The Big Issue

‘Highly engaging … A spectacular performance … Shines a light on how audiences would have originally enjoyed Dickens’s work … A very affecting piece of theatre …’ – Huffington Post

‘If you want a masterclass in one-man theatre, there’s no finer place to be’ – London City Nights