Alphabetti Theatre with Mack & Mama Rhi Present: A Queermas Carol

This December, A Queermas Carol, an entirely original cabaret-inspired retelling of the Dickens Christmas classic, will premiere at Alphabetti Theatre, from 17–20 December 2025.

The show is written, hosted and performed by Alphabetti regulars and superstars of the North East cabaret scene, Mack & Mama Rhi, with direction from Alphabetti’s Artistic Director, Ed Cole.

After the resounding success of their previous productions at Alphabetti, including Twin Freaks, Jaws but Gay, the Halloween-inspired Gaylien and The Wickerthem, and as part of Newcastle Pride 2025, The Pedro Pascal says Trans Rights Cabaret, Mack & Mama Rhi are embarking on their first extended run, bringing their inimitable style and insatiable queer joy to Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim, and of course the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future!

Have you ever felt like a big old Scrooge? Fear not! You've just received your invitation to the Marley and Marley cabaret bar. The Marleys (Alphabetti’s resident goofs, Mack and Mama Rhi) will be your hosts and guides though past, present and future to help you find your festive joy again. You can expect nostalgic throwbacks, a queer chaotic present, and who the heck knows what the future holds?

Following on from last year’s huge success with Patti Boo-Rae’s Little Miss Christmas, Alphabetti are cementing their place in Newcastle’s festive line up as a welcoming, warm and wonderful alternative to panto. The show will be a co-creation by Mack, Mama Rhi and Alphabetti, with a different guest artist each night taking on the role of The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come – meaning no two shows will be the same!

There’ll be songs, dancing, puppetry, lip sync, burlesque, storytelling, poetry and moments of true Christmas tenderness, as Mack & Mama Rhi help audiences shake off their Scroogey blues and embrace the true meaning of togetherness at the festive season.

To bring additional Christmas cheer, Alphabetti have taken their standard opening night ‘Pay What You Feel’ offer and extended it across the week’s run, with fifteen PWYF tickets available for every show. These will be accompanied by Alphabetti’s standard £3 ‘No Questions Asked’ tickets, ensuring that everyone can come and enjoy a festive night out, without financial barriers.

‘Bi humbug, and gay bless us, everyone!’

Director Ed Cole said: "Mack & Mama Rhi are true jewels in the North East’s creative crown, and it is a privilege to be working with them on their first long-running show. All their previous one-off cabaret productions have been incredible; hilarious, heartfelt, chaotic and tender, with a true sense of identity and understanding for the form. The natural next step for the pair is to have a dedicated production team around them, and it seems only right that Alphabetti - the region’s home of creative development - provides that. We’re incredibly excited to be working alongside Mack & Mama Rhi, helping to create what we’re sure will be a truly unforgettable and unique festive night out for our audience.”

To find out more, including how to book tickets, visit: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/queermascarol 

Featured image: TJ Mov