The Ghosts of Christmas will be paying a visit to the Lantern Arts Centre this December to take part in its latest production, Scrooge The Musical.

The show has been adapted from the Oscar-nominated film version, starring Albert Finney and Alec Guinness. John Talbot, playing Ebenezer Scrooge, says: "We've been trying to get this version for a long time and now it's out of London we've finally been able to.

"It's interesting because the film version has been revised for the stage, whereas it's usually its the other way around."

This will be the third time that Talbot has taken on the character of Scrooge in various adaptations of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

He says: "It must be in my nature I guess - tight-fisted and a bit of an old git.

"It's such a classic part and a dream for an actor to play because there is so much you can get into it away from the surface level. You can do it differently every time.

"I think people really empathise with the ideas behind Scrooge. This is somebody who has allowed work to take him over and he can't see the need for family and friendship.

"Christmas is a great time to remind ourselves that there are more important things in life than chasing money."

The Lantern Arts Centre is a community arts venue where people of all ages and ability can develop their performing arts skills.

Talbot says: "I've been working with the centre since 1996.

"Our productions usually have three or four professional actors, some semi-professional actors and some people from the community who are really talented. Everyone learns from everyone else. "We always say that if you audition, you will be in the show. You may not get a main part but you will always be able to join the chorus, or, if you prefer, help with costumes or the set.

"As a result we have a cast of 40-45 people for this production which is quite a handful, but fabulous fun. "There is always that manic moment at this point in rehearsals when you think you will never get there and then suddenly it all explodes and you think, 'how did we do it?'"

Scrooge The Musical, Lantern Arts Centre, Raynes Park, December 10 to 12, 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2pm), £10 Call 020 8944 5794 or visit lanternarts.org.