One of Britain's most charismatic actors is to release a Christmas album accompanied by the newly crowned National Champions, Brighouse & Rastrick.

Simon Callow, is to mark the 175th anniversary of the publication of 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens with the CD release on December 1st, which will feature his own acclaimed adaptation of the 1843 novel with traditional Christmas carols performed by the band.

Dickens essence

Callow's one-man version of the classic was first performed last year at the Arts Theatre in London, and he told 'The Stage' magazine that his adaptation was "...swift and to the point, but contains the essence of what Dickens was writing about.

We've recorded it with some of the Christmas music that Dickens would have known and loved which helps to evoke that period."

We've recorded it with some of the Christmas music that Dickens would have known and loved which helps to evoke that periodSimon Callow

Man's redemption

He added: "I thought about what the vital parts of the story are, and which characters it is that we really want to hear from and what is essentially the 'big story'. The big story is about a man's redemption, filled with humour and comedy and a wonderful ending."

A Christmas Carol album is produced by Island Records.