This year's West End Christmas lights will be themed around Dickens' A Christmas Carol. For the first time ever, the illuminations on Oxford Street, Regent Street and in the City will all be switched on simultaneously and carry Scroogesome designs. The Dickensian profusion coincides with the release of Disney's new version of A Christmas Carol, with Jim Carrey revisiting his Grinchian ways in the part of Ebeneezer Scrooge, alongside a tripartite Gary Oldman (Bob Cratchit, Marley, Tiny Tim), Bob Hoskins (Mr Fezziwig) and Colin Firth (Fred). According to IMDb, this is at least the 50th version of the oft-told tale, and the second major production by Disney. Can Director Robert Zemeckis' 3-D IMAX treatment bring fresh cranberry sauce to this endlessly reheated turkey? Judge from the trailer. If we turn a blind eye to the anachronistic London Bridge (bah humbug), this might just be the best thing to happen to the tale since Gonzo, Kermit, Piggy and Caine. Tickets for the 3 November cinema preview are on sale now, at £50 each (which includes a charitable donation to Great Ormond Street, in best non-Scroogian fashion).
