GOODBYE school clothes and sportswear, goodbye to a brief flash of fireworks, hello Ebenezer Scrooge.

York street theatre company Nightshade Productions are moving indoors this season, taking over a former school outfitters' shop in Colliergate to stage a site-specific production of CharlesDickens's A Christmas Carol from this week.

Earlier this month, the old Rawcliffes premises was the temporary home to a fireworks store but, after the Big Bang of Bonfire Night, Nightshade co-directors Damian Freddi and James Witchwood have taken over Number 17, Colliergate, to recreate Scrooge and Marley’s shop from the Dickensian classic.

Their promenade production will set out each night from Nightshade's traditional assembly point outside the Golden Fleece, in Pavement, and will have its opening scenes on York's streets before progressing to the shop.

"Most of the play will take place in this unforgettable environment," says writer Damian.

"Audiences can expect an atmospheric and chilling production in a classical retelling of the original Dickensian masterpiece, suitable for both families and older viewers. The intimate setting, along with Nightshade’s trademark immersive style, will ensure that everyone will feel part of the show, rather than just passive observers."

Nightshade, the theatre wing of the York Terror Trail company, have become an established theatre presence within York over the past three years with their promenade performances of A Christmas Carol each year; A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2012; Jekyll And Hyde last year and their 2014 collaboration with Re-stage Theatre in The Three Musketeers.

Rehearsals on site have whetted the appetite for the shows ahead.

"Performing in the shop has offered new and exciting avenues for us to explore the way we do theatre," says Damian.

"The space is wonderfully personal making for an intimate and close performance. It has also allowed us a greater level of control over our production compared to what we've had previously, and we're enormously indebted to Nigel Taylor for lending us the property for the duration of the run at a very low rate."

Performances start at 7pm and 9pm each Wednesday to Sunday from this week until December 21. Tickets cost £12, students £10, plus a £1 booking fee, on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

"As is now traditional for us, Nightshade will donate all profits from the show to the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) to help ensure that the next generation enjoy this festival as Dickens would have wished them to," says Damian.