The Dreaming is still the only theatre company to have been granted permission to stage a show in Kirkgate, the mock Victorian street at York Castle Museum.

So satisfying was the initial union last Christmas that the York company is to re-mount Scott Harrison's adaptation of A Christmas Carol at the museum from tonight until December 23, excluding Sundays and Mondays.

This tale of redemption and hope formed the first of Charles Dickens's series of The Christmas Books, and The Dreaming intends to produce all five books and plenty more Christmas short stories in York over forthcoming Christmas seasons.

Creative director Lee York says: "I hope that Dickens at Kirkgate will become a new tradition for York. This city has one of the most wonderful Victorian indoor streets in Kirkgate, and it seems such a natural idea to combine this setting with the literary heritage of Dickens.

Originally Lee had foreseen presenting The Christmas Books in chronological order but he has changed his mind. "Rather than doing the second book, The Chimes, next year, we're planning to present The Haunted Man And The Ghost's Bargain. It's subtitled A Fancy For Christmas, and it's more in keeping with the spirit of A Christmas Carol," says Lee.

Much of last year's cast has re-assembled for this year's production, which already has toured Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough, and Fountains Hall, Ripon. Roger Andrew is reprising the role of Scrooge, while cast newcomers include Charlotte Graham and the Dickensian-sounding Peter Crump.

"It's the same script by Scott Harrison as last year with 33 characters, 32 of them being played nine actors," says Lee.

The company has learned lessons from last year's production, as Roger Andrew reveals. "Acoustically, the Kirkgate street isn't too good, so you really have to go for it or speak more slowly so that the words don't echo back at you before you do the next line."

Lee recalls one choice of footwear causing problems last year. "Something that most of them hadn't done before was to act on cobbles. One of the actresses wore high heels...she soon changed!" he says.

The Dreaming presents A Christmas Carol, Kirkgate, York Castle Museum, tonight until December 23 at 7.30pm; tickets £15, concessions £12.50. Box office: 01904 621756, on line at www.DickensAtChristmas.co, or in person from York Tourist Information Centre. December 21 sold out.

Also at Shire Hall, Howden, December 19, 7.30pm, £10, £8; ring 01430 432510.

Updated: 10:02 Friday, December 10, 2004