TWO sell-out shows are bringing a Dickens Christmas classic to life this weekend in Carlisle’s newest theatre.

The Cosmic Studio in Denton Holme is staging Rocket Theatre Group’s production of A Christmas Carol.

More than 40 young performers, some just five-years-old, are filling the 80-seater theatre for the teatime shows tomorrow and Sunday.

They include 12-year-old Lewis McLellan, one of the oldest children taking part, who takes the leading role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Girls Alex Calvert and Suzi Watson, both aged 11, play the ghosts of brothers Jacob and Robert Marley.

Wendy Boothman and Jack Dunn are co-owners of Rocket Theatre Group and the Cosmic Studio, which are based in adjoining parts of Nelson Street’s Atlas Works.

Wendy said: “A Christmas Carol is a relevant story today as it was back when Dickens wrote it.

“It was his social comment in the Victorian era. He was appalled by the poverty and he wrote A Christmas Carol to bring attention to those issues that were happening.

“The story is still as relevant today with food banks and such like being needed by so many.”

The Cosmic Studio was used for the first time last Friday when Rocket Theatre Group’s senior members, who are aged 11 to 18, staged their own seasonal showcase of songs, dances and performances.

The studio theatre breathes new life into what had been an empty space in Atlas Works.

It has been transformed by volunteers and leaders of Rocket Theatre Group using industry-standard lighting, staging and equipment donated by the University of Cumbria, where Jack is a student at its Institute of the Arts in Stanwix.

Wendy, who is herself an alumni of the Brampton Road campus, said: “The showcase was a fabulous night and the seniors really enjoyed it.

“They were fully aware that they were the first to use the Cosmic Studio, the city’s newest theatre which is adaptable and fully flexible.

“It is a small venue which can be used in many different ways. That’s what we wanted when we were designing it - something where it can be used in the round, thrust or reverse.

“And for our youngsters we have got a great space which they can also rehearse in without the added pressure of going to a new venue for their performance.”