A new blue heritage plaque has been unveiled at a historic Birmingham location, honouring a pivotal event in the world of literature. The installation marks the exact spot where the legendary author Charles Dickens first presented his festive masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, to a live audience over 170 years ago.
Commemorating a Historic Night in 1853
The Birmingham Civic Society has awarded the prestigious blue plaque to Birmingham Town Hall. It was officially unveiled this week by Birmingham actor Anton Lesser, famed for roles in Wolf Hall and Game of Thrones, alongside the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE.
The plaque commemorates the evening of December 27, 1853, when Charles Dickens took to the stage at the Town Hall. In what is now considered a landmark moment, he performed the first-ever public reading of A Christmas Carol. Records indicate that an audience of nearly 2,000 people attended, braving wet and windy weather to listen as Dickens read his own story for over three hours.
A Deep Connection with Birmingham's Working People
Rachel Cranny, head of development and impact at B:Music—the charity responsible for the Town Hall—highlighted the unique bond between Dickens and the city. "Dickens had a genuinely special relationship with Birmingham," she stated. She emphasised that the author was adamant these performances should be accessible to working men and their families, a radical idea for the time that held great personal importance to him.
To accommodate the huge crowd, seating was cleared from the hall. The event was a resounding success, with Dickens himself expressing the great pleasure he found in sharing his ‘little Christmas book’. This book, of course, evolved into one of the most beloved and globally successful stories ever written.
The Start of a Legendary Touring Tradition
This Birmingham reading was not just a standalone event; it signified the beginning of a new chapter in Dickens' career. It marked the very start of his famous tours, during which he performed his own works to captivated audiences across the country, a practice he continued until his death.
Nicola Gauld, co-chair of the Birmingham Civic Society Heritage Committee, explained the decision to honour the location. "The Heritage Committee was intrigued to hear this story and strongly felt that it was a significant event in Birmingham’s past that should be commemorated and celebrated," she said. The society deemed the first reading of this world-famous tale a 'remarkable moment in literary history' worthy of permanent recognition.
Today, visitors to Birmingham Town Hall can see the new blue plaque, which serves as a tangible link to that extraordinary winter's night in 1853, when the spirit of Christmas was brought to life in a new and enduring way.
