Charles Dickens Museum Ticket Portal

The Signal-Man & The Trial for Murder performed by James Swanton. Christmas 2026.

Ticket inclusions:

  • Admits one adult to the performance
  • Admits one adult to the museum same day, prior to the booked performance. Last entry to historic house and special exhibition at 5pm. Tea room closes at 6pm.

Option to donate: 

GiftAid is quick, easy, and it doesn't cost you any extra, all you need is to be a UK taxpayer. For every £1 you spend today, we receive another 25p in government support.

Duration:

60 minutes

Content:

Suitable for 12+ years.

Location:

49 Doughty Street. Just as Dickens was known to entertain his guests in his own Drawing Room so will you experience this performance in a similar setting within the Museum. The performance space can be accessed via the lift.

Doors will open 10 minutes prior to the start time. Due to the small size of the theatre space, no latecomers will be admitted.  

Detail:

The Signal-Man is one of the most powerful ghost stories of all time, and certainly the most frightening ever written by Charles Dickens. It is paired here with The Trial for Murder, in which Dickens treats the supernatural with just as much terrifying gravity. This delightfully macabre double bill was described by renowned horror novelist Ramsey Campbell as ‘an unforgettable experience’ thanks to the ‘prodigious and extraordinary talent’ of actor James Swanton.

The monstrous thought came into my mind, as I perused the fixed eyes and the saturnine face, that this was a spirit, not a man.

A red light. A black tunnel. A waving figure. A warning beyond understanding. And the fear that someone – that something – is drawing closer...

Join our lone storyteller as he delves into Dickens's most sinister explorations of the spirit world. What better way to celebrate the darkest months of the year?

Ticket options

  • Access - Signal-Man / Trial - James Swanton
    Access - Signal-Man / Trial - James Swanton
    £22.00 (Gift Aid eligible)
    + £0.75 booking fee

    For a person with a disability. Please read our Access Guide before booking, or contact us if you are unsure if the venue is suitable for your needs. A complimentary Essential Companion Ticket is available to help you experience our venue safely.

    0 6 max
    + £0.75 booking fee

    For a person with a disability. Please read our Access Guide before booking, or contact us if you are unsure if the venue is suitable for your needs. A complimentary Essential Companion Ticket is available to help you experience our venue safely.

  • Companion - Signal-Man / Trial - James Swanton
    Companion - Signal-Man / Trial - James Swanton
    Free (Gift Aid eligible)

    For anyone who needs physical assistance or guiding a free of charge essential companion ticket is available when also booking an Access Ticket.

    0 6 max

    For anyone who needs physical assistance or guiding a free of charge essential companion ticket is available when also booking an Access Ticket.

  • Standard - Signal-Man / Trial - James Swanton
    Standard - Signal-Man / Trial - James Swanton
    £25.00 (Gift Aid eligible)
    + £0.75 booking fee
    0 15 max
    + £0.75 booking fee
The Signal-Man & The Trial for Murder performed by James Swanton. Christmas 2026.

Ticket inclusions:

  • Admits one adult to the performance
  • Admits one adult to the museum same day, prior to the booked performance. Last entry to historic house and special exhibition at 5pm. Tea room closes at 6pm.

Option to donate: 

GiftAid is quick, easy, and it doesn't cost you any extra, all you need is to be a UK taxpayer. For every £1 you spend today, we receive another 25p in government support.

Duration:

60 minutes

Content:

Suitable for 12+ years.

Location:

49 Doughty Street. Just as Dickens was known to entertain his guests in his own Drawing Room so will you experience this performance in a similar setting within the Museum. The performance space can be accessed via the lift.

Doors will open 10 minutes prior to the start time. Due to the small size of the theatre space, no latecomers will be admitted.  

Detail:

The Signal-Man is one of the most powerful ghost stories of all time, and certainly the most frightening ever written by Charles Dickens. It is paired here with The Trial for Murder, in which Dickens treats the supernatural with just as much terrifying gravity. This delightfully macabre double bill was described by renowned horror novelist Ramsey Campbell as ‘an unforgettable experience’ thanks to the ‘prodigious and extraordinary talent’ of actor James Swanton.

The monstrous thought came into my mind, as I perused the fixed eyes and the saturnine face, that this was a spirit, not a man.

A red light. A black tunnel. A waving figure. A warning beyond understanding. And the fear that someone – that something – is drawing closer...

Join our lone storyteller as he delves into Dickens's most sinister explorations of the spirit world. What better way to celebrate the darkest months of the year?

0 items selected £0.00