CHRISTMAS is coming early as a descendant of author Charles Dickens performs a one-man show.

Actor and performer Gerald Charles Dickens visits Knights Templar School in Baldock next week for a show based on A Christmas Carol, written by his great-great-grandfather Charles Dickens in 1843.

Gerald Dickens first performed his solo version of A Christmas Carol in America in 1996, and he returns there annually to perform at historic hotels, libraries, theatres and Dickens festivals.

Dickens will play 26 characters in a performance described by The New York Times as “A once-in-a-lifetime brush with literary history”.

The afternoon show on Monday will be for the school’s Year 8 students before a 7.30pm public performance.

Tickets for the evening show, in support of the school’s Drama Studio Appeal, are available at their reception, cost �5 or �3 concessions and are available at David’s Bookshop in Letchworth GC, or on the door.

Gerald Dickens will also appear at the bookshop in Eastcheap at 5pm to give a free 10-minute presentation from A Christmas Carol and to sign copies of Charles Dickens’ books.