Performance 7 November 2025 @ 8pm – The Alban Arena
For anyone not familiar with the character of Count Arthur Strong, he is created by English comedian Steve Delaney initially in the 1980s when at drama school. Count Arthur Strong is an elderly and often portrayed as pompous, self indulgent and often deluded thespian with memory loss. These traits set the foundation for his malapropisms and rambling monologues that build into an amusing performance. Delaney has taken this character from stage to tv to radio and through this has built a long list of in-jokes and backstories that thread seamlessly through his act.
A Christmas Carol
On this occasion Count Arthur Strong offers his musings and take on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol with special appearances from famous faces portraying the three ghosts. Everyone knows the story of the Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol and why waste time repeating the same well trodden path? Delaney keeps the audience engaged with his nostalgic references and captivating story telling that keeps audiences coming back for more.The show is split into two parts with the first act taking on Strong’s introduction to Charles Dickens and the Victorian era, which quickly loses all sense of direction as Strong mixes time periods and falls out of character as the famous author. He then takes the stage with a few magic tricks and signature ventriloquist act that is utter chaos. What makes this show so entertaining is the constant break from character of the author and rambling stories that easily links to something else utterly off topic, yet fits so well. Pebbled between the stories, the rambling and the magic are musical numbers which are just as entertaining. A show of utter nonsense that is executed with perfect precision from the comedic timing to the rambling story that leads into another perfect scene. All culminating in keeping the audience both entertained and baffled.
Act two sees Strong’s version of A Christmas Carol with off stage commentary of him self-editing the show so he can leave early and even confessing that in his meticulous research that he fell asleep while watching the film. Even the running joke that he won’t be giving refunds as the audience are so entertained and enough of a titbit that doesn’t need a lot backstory, but the constant repetition gives the impression of who Strong is and that this is not the first time his show hasn’t lived up to his audience’s expectations. This all adds to a relatable aspect to the character and works well when the audience doesn’t take anything he says seriously. At first it is complete madness and it takes a bit of getting used to understand what the comedy is but once you understand, it’s infectious. It takes a lot of skill and stamina to be able to complete a one person show and to get everything wrong in such a right way is a triumph. I think there is a little bit of Count Arthur strong in all our futures and I’m ok with that.
A trip to the theatre has the primary purpose to be a space for entertainment and Delaney’s performance does just that right from the moment he steps out onto the stage with non-stop laughs. What I liked the most is that there is something for everyone and even if you’re too young to understand some of the references to people or events in the past, there is enough to make you laugh and feel included in the joke. I appreciate Delaney’s dedication to the character and the very simple staging that places him in the spotlight and the little details that draws the audience into this pompous and loveable character. Count Arthur Strong in A Christmas Carol is fantastic way to spend a cold and dreary November with memorable jokes and clever comedy that will have you laughing until your cheeks hurt!
Stay updated
Amy is a writer and reviewer and her action-packed debut novel, CORNELIA FAIRFIELD AND THE DARKENED HEART is set to be published in 2026! For more content read Amy’s book reviews, short stories and updates on Amy’s writing journey posts.
Don’t forget to follow Amy on TikTok, X and Instagram.
Sign up to Amy's newsletter for exclusive content, updates and reviews!