OLIVIER Award winner Guy Masterson returns to Bath following previous sell-out visits to appear in A Christmas Carol on January 3 and 4.

His highly-acclaimed production of Charles Dickens’ classic festive fable begins the New Year in the Ustinov Studio.

Famed for bringing multiple characters to vivid life, Masterson recreates Scrooge, Marley, the Fezziwigs, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit et al in an enchanting performance that will dazzle and linger long in the memory.

With an original score by Robb Williams, and a myriad of extraordinary personalities stunningly animated in Masterson’s inimitable style, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to keep the festive spirit flowing until Twelfth Night.

The play has been adapted by Nick Hennegan from Dickens' famous novella, which was first published by Chapman & Hal in London in 1843. Mr Hennegan also directs the classic Christmas ghost story.

Guy Masterson is descended from a line of great actors – his great-uncle was actor Richard Burton and the Italian superstar Marcello Mastroianni was his father’s second cousin.

His career has seen him perform his world-famous one man shows, including the first ever solo-performer adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ epic Under Milk Wood, and George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

Mr Masterson has performed at theatres and festivals across the globe, including Edinburgh, Adelaide, New York, Perth and Wellington.

He is the most successful producer in the history of the Edinburgh Festival, with more than 120 productions in 25 consecutive seasons.

A Christmas Carol is at the Ustinov Studio on Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4. Tickets are on sale from the Box Office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov