Liverpool Royal Court’s annual Christmas spectacular is back — louder, cheekier and more full of heart than ever. This year’s festive offering, The Scouse Christmas Carol, opens on Friday 7 November and runs until 17 January 2026, promising a riotous mix of Dickensian ghosts, Scouse humour, live music and, in a new twist, a touch of murder-mystery.
At the heart of the show is Jhanaica Van Mook, a rising star whose name you’ll want to remember. Having wowed audiences earlier this year in Red or Dead at the Royal Court, she’s back on the same stage for the city’s favourite festive tradition — this time as Clara Scratchitt, the sweet, family-minded niece in the Court’s proudly irreverent take on Dickens’ classic.
“I was drawn to Clara because she’s so genuine,” Jhanaica tells Liverpool Noise. “She’s sweet, supportive and really family-orientated. I feel like I become her the moment I step into costume — that’s when I really enter her mindset.”
A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Van Mook is already carving an impressive path through British theatre. She’s appeared in 101 Dalmatians – The Musical and played Miss Kat in Pinocchio at Theatre Royal Stratford East, yet she talks about this new role with the excitement of someone still discovering the magic of the stage.
“This isn’t your average Christmas Carol,” she laughs. “There’s a murder-mystery element laced into the story — so it’s about giving enough away to keep the audience hooked, while still holding back enough to keep it exciting. But the humour, the Scouse warmth, and that sense of chaos… it’s all there.”
Rehearsals, she says, have been a joy. “I’ve smiled, cried and cackled every single day. The cast are endlessly talented and bounce off each other in the most brilliant way. Every day there’s a new moment that makes us all laugh out loud.”
That sense of camaraderie, she explains, comes straight from the top. “Our creative team are phenomenal — they’ve created such an open, collaborative space. Everyone’s contributed ideas, whether that’s a line change, a bit of choreography or a vocal tweak. It means every part of the show feels alive and genuinely ours.”
For Van Mook, theatre has always been inseparable from music. “I actually started performing because of a panto! I was three years old, sang Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney, and my nan put me straight into lessons. Music’s always been in my life — my mum’s Filipina, so singing was part of our home. Later, studying at RWCMD really fine-tuned my abilities — it gave me the tools to blend acting and music naturally.”
This production, though, also marks a personal milestone — her first adult panto. The Royal Court’s Christmas shows are famously aimed at the 16-plus crowd: a cocktail of bawdy jokes, sharp satire and a big heart. “I’ve done traditional family pantos before,” she says, “and they’re great fun. But adult pantos are a different beast — more mature humour, bigger characters, more chances to play. I’ve really enjoyed that shift.”
For many performers, the Royal Court’s Christmas stage is a dream gig — a place where audience and actor feed off one another with a uniquely Liverpool electricity. “I’ve always wanted to be part of the Scouse pantos,” Van Mook says. “After Red or Dead, I completely fell in love with the theatre and the audiences. There’s nothing like performing for this city. You feel that warmth every night.”
There’s also a sense that this show isn’t just another credit for her — it’s part of a bigger journey. “I graduated in July 2024, and I’m so grateful for everything that’s happened since. Each role has been so different, and I’ve learned from every single one. The Scouse Christmas Carol feels special — it’s the perfect blend of laughter, community and storytelling. And to do it in the city I love most? That’s magic.”
Looking ahead, Van Mook hopes to keep pushing the boundaries of what theatre can do. “I love work that makes people feel something — that challenges what we think theatre is capable of. Red or Dead was powerful because it connected so deeply with audiences. I want to keep doing that — whether it’s a musical or a straight play, I want to keep creating stories that move people.”
As The Scouse Christmas Carol prepares to light up the Royal Court, it’s clear Jhanaica Van Mook isn’t just another newcomer passing through — she’s part of the next generation of Liverpool’s theatrical storytellers. Warm, talented, and bursting with passion, she embodies everything that makes the Royal Court’s festive season such a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar.
And as Clara Scratchitt, she’ll be right at the heart of it — reminding us, with every song and smile, that Christmas in Liverpool is all about family, laughter and a good bit of Scouse mischief!
The Scouse Christmas Carol runs from 7 November to 17 January 2026 at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre. Secure tickets via liverpoolsroyalcourt.com.
