Imagine the scene: a Victorian parlour decked with holly, and a Christmas tree in the corner. All around are flickering candles and lanterns, casting a warm glow across the beaming faces of the dinner guests as they wait for Charles Dickens himself to begin the reading of his newest work, A Christmas Carol. That was exactly what awaited us, as we stepped back into 1843 to experience The Great Christmas Feast 
from The Lost Estate.
A Christmas Carol is one of the most iconic stories of the festive season, and after more than 180 years, it still holds a special place in many hearts. The Lost Estate has been creating the interactive dining experience since 2017 to great acclaim, and in this, its eighth year, the appeal is as strong as ever.
Located just a minute’s walk from West Kensington underground station, the entrance to The Lost Estate couldn’t be more subtle. There are no glittering lights or neon signs, just a red rope and a black frontage, which makes what’s inside all the more intriguing.
Once inside, I passed through a winding corridor, filled with artefacts and information about the early life of Mr Dickens, and the years leading up to the publication of A Christmas Carol. This fascinating glimpse into the man served two purposes: to set the tone and to separate guests from the 21st century that they left at the door. It’s a simple idea, but surprisingly effective.
The final door took me into Mr Dickens’ hallway, where I was greeted warmly by one of his household staff and shown to my table. The room was alive with warmth and hubbub as the guests gradually filtered in and took their seats.
The Great Christmas Feast is a dining experience, so as guests arrived, cocktails were served, and the starters were brought out fairly quickly to get the ball rolling. Everything served at the feast is made using ingredients and recipes from the era, which was a fabulous touch. The Smoking Bishop cocktail — a tipple very similar to mulled wine — was rich and warming, and started things off wonderfully.
With starters devoured and cocktails savoured, our host, Mr Charles Dickens, played in this instance by the irrepressible Tama Phethean, bounded into the parlour and the performance began. As Phethean brought the theatre and drama, the music was courtesy of three performers: Guy Button on the violin, Charlotte Kaslin on the cello, and Beth Higham-Edwards on percussion. The trio — referred to as Turveydrop, Copperfield and Pumblechook by Dickens — provided the perfect musical backdrop to support and enhance the atmosphere of the production.
With unending gusto, wit, humour and drama, Phethean and the musicians created an utterly captivating retelling of the story that held us all spellbound. Playing almost every character, as well as the author, flawlessly, Phethean transitioned between them beautifully, giving each a distinct personality so that it was clear to the audience who he was at any given moment. Pure mastery.
The story was broken down into three acts, with the main course and dessert served between the sections, which worked incredibly well. I did have misgivings about the food, not expecting much from it, but I am delighted to say I was wrong. The starter of potted salmon with pickled vegetables was light and refreshing. The main course was roasted duck leg, which was succulent and tasty, and the red cabbage was well-cooked and beautifully spiced. Dessert was Twelfth Night cake (a fruit-filled tart served with brandy butter ice cream), which was a delightful end to an excellent meal.
The Great Christmas Feast from The Lost Estate: The verdict
I’d read many reviews for The Great Christmas Feast over the past few years, and every one was overwhelmingly positive, but the cynic in me didn’t quite believe them. Having travelled into Dickens’s world for one blissful afternoon, I can say that I am an absolute convert.
From passing through the door to leaving almost four hours later, every member of The Lost Estate team, from actors to servers, was superb. Those in character never dropped it for a moment, keeping the world in its 19th-century bubble. The staging was incredibly well done, with multiple areas around the room becoming focal points during the storytelling, allowing every guest to feel totally enveloped in the drama.
Is it worth the ticket price? Emphatically, yes. The headline price might sound a little high, particularly if you’re looking at the VIP packages, but if you factor in what’s included (a good three-course meal, some drinks and the entertainment) and compare that to a theatre trip and a meal, it offers good value for money. Not to mention an experience that you really can’t put a price on.
I can honestly say that this was the most perfect way to begin the festive season. The Lost Estate
is a master of its craft. From humble beginnings, in which the core team did absolutely everything themselves, right down to cooking and serving, a mighty theatre and dining experience has been born.
What is it: The Great Christmas Feast immersive dining, The Lost Estate, London
Ticket prices: from £144 per person
Average Joes rating: ★★★★★
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