YORK Light Opera Society's first production of 2002 will be Scrooge: The Musical at York Theatre Royal next month.

Based on Charles Dickens's enduring tale A Christmas Carol, this stage adaptation by British composer Leslie Briccuse is billed as being "truly a theatrical experience for all the family".

The role of Scrooge, the man who hated Christmas, indeed life itself until his ghost-driven transformation, will be played by Ivan Chaplin. Last seen as Jupiter in Offenbach's Orpheus In the Underworld, Chaplin will be undertaking his first leading role on the Theatre Royal stage.

Other principal parts go to Geoffrey Turner as Jacob Marley; Chris Bean as Bob Cratchit; Kathryn Addison, Mrs Cratchit; Daniel Duffy and Alan Smith, Tiny Tim; Anna Housley and Anna Wright, Kathy Cratchit; Jon Bircher, Scrooge's Nephew; Laura Meek, Isobel; Carol Richardson, the Ghost of Christmas Past; Martin Richardson, the Ghost of Christmas Present; and Rick Green, the Ghost of Christmas Future. In addition, 50 children will be divided into two teams to perform on alternate nights.

Scrooge: The Musical will run from February 12 to 23 at 7.30pm nightly plus 2.30pm each Saturday. Tickets range from £5 to £15.50, with a special gallery price to enable a family of four to see the show for under £10. To book, ring 01904 623568.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, January 04, 2002