ENTERTAINERS AND GUESTS
2023 FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Extra! Extra! Read all about the events of this year’s Dickens on The Strand with our official program. Hot off the press, this year’s edition has our festival map, stage programming, special event highlights, sponsors, and more. Click to download your copy today!
SPECIAL GUESTS
HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA AND HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT | It wouldn’t be a true event without royalty! Each year at Dickens on The Strand, Her Majesty Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, along with their court, make frequent appearances throughout the event. Be on the lookout during parades, special events, and on the streets of the event itself for your moment with the crown..
JOHN & CHRISTINA NEITZ | John Neitz has performed as the Dickens on the Strand town crier since 2010 and was appointed the Official Town Crier of the City of Minneapolis in 2004. He is escorted by his wife Christina, an accomplished historical costuming specialist. Between them, John and Christina have more than five decades of experience in historical reenactment and historically themed entertainment.
FATHER CHRISTMAS | Father Christmas although known by many names throughout the world has been sharing his extraordinary kindness and generosity to those in need since the 4th century. His many monikers include Père Nöel (France), St. Nicholas (Europe), Babbo Natale (Italy), Sinnterklaas (Holland), Ded Moroz or ‘Grandfather Frost’ (Russia), and Kris Kringle or Santa Claus (USA).
CHARLES DICKENS | Portrayed by actor T. Stacy Hicks, Charles Dickens returns to his namesake festival for special appearances, performances, and more. Debuting in 2022, Stacy brought his unique performing talents to his portrayal of Dickens. This year’s return will include hosting the kick-off Fezziwig’s Friday, photo opportunities in our VIP area, meet and greets, and more.
DICKENS DESCENDANTS
LUCY BACON | A great-great-great-granddaughter of the Festival namesake, Lucy, will join this year for her Dickens on The Strand debut with her mother, Jane Dickens Monk. Lucy and the rest of the family will be on hand all weekend for meet and greets, special appointments, and more. She and Jane will also be the exclusive hosts to this year’s Mrs. Tickit’s English Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
POLLY OLIVIA BOYD | Polly is the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, descended through his son Sir Henry Fielding Dickens. Polly has had a long career in book publishing in London and is now a freelance editor based in the Regency spa town of Cheltenham, in the Cotswolds. Last Christmas she participated in an event at the Charles Dickens Museum in London, performing festive readings of Dickens’ Christmas works.
OLLIE DICKENS | Oliver ‘Ollie’ Dickens is a great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens who lives in North London. He is a British actor who recently graduated from LAMDA, one of the finest drama training academies in the world, having previously graduated from the University of York with a BA(Hons) in Writing, Directing and Performance.
MARK CHARLES & DEBBIE DICKENS | Mark is a great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens and is a Past President of the International Dickens Fellowship and past Chair of Trustees of the Charles Dickens Museum. Debbie is a retired registrar and administrator and is the proud mother of 3 sons and 2 Dickens grandsons, all of whom have Charles as a middle name. This will be Mark’s 12th visit and Debbie’s 6th visit to Dickens on the Strand.
LUCINDA DICKENS HAWKSLEY | Lucinda Hawksley is an author, broadcaster, lecturer, and award-winning travel writer, who has worked as an interviewee, consultant, and presenter on TV and radio shows worldwide. Her latest book is Dickens and Travel (2022), which looks at Charles Dickens’s travel writing and at his fascinating journeys overseas. She is a great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles and Catherine Dickens.
MARION DICKENS LLOYD | The great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens makes her festival debut this year. Marion will be joining the rest of her family throughout the week and weekend at special events, media appearances, and meet and greets. She will also be the welcoming host to the Thursday night’s Dickens Descendant Champagne Reception at the 1895 Moody Mansion.
JANE DICKENS MONK | Jane Dickens Monk is a great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens. In 2016, she finished her father, Cedric Dickens’, life story ‘My Life’ after he sadly died before completion. She returns this year with Christmas with Dickens, a project her father was involved with along with his cousin David and wife Betty. It will be for sale at the event. This will be Jane’s last year attending, but she will be passing the torch to her eldest daughter, Lucy, who is also attending this year.
HARRY WHINNEY | Harry is an artist and a filmmaker. As a descendant of Charley Dickens, the eldest child of Charles and Catherine, Harry not only makes his festival debut in 2023 but also represents a new line of family that hasn’t visited Dickens on The Strand. Harry will be our host for the first Jubilation Ringers Handbell Concert and will join the rest of the family throughout the week for appearances.
STAGE, STREET, AND PARADE PERFORMERS
19th Century Hands-On Cricket – Special Event
Academie Musique of Central Texas – Choir
Andrew Bateman – Musician
Atascocita Choir – Choir
Austin Girls’ Choir – Choir
Bah Humbug! – Play/Performance
Bay Area Christian School – Choir
Bay Area Tubadours – Musician
Bay Area Youth Singers – Choir
Beaudry Violin and Viola Studio – Musician
Bella Voce – Choir
Belton High School Choir – Choir
The Bilge Pumps – Musician
Bruce Manners – Juggler/Variety
Cirque La Vie – Juggler/Variety
The Crescent Circus – Juggler/Variety
Daniel Rowan – Musician
Darryl Cleveland – Juggler/Variety
Dedgar Allan Poe – Play/Performance
Dickens on The Strand Beggars – Juggler/Variety
DPAC Texas – Choir
Galveston Ballet – Play/Performance
Ginger Whimsy – Juggler/Variety
Donal Henley’s Music of the Glass Harmonium – Musician
Grimaldi – The World’s Greatest Victorian Clown – Juggler/Variety
Heavenly Sounds Handbell Choir – Choir
Horsemen of Texas – Parade
Houston Highlanders – Musician
Houston School of Irish Music – Musician
Impluse Strings – Musician
Joyful Sounds Christian Academy – Choir
Joyful Sounds Choir – Choir
Jubilation Ringers – Musician
Kantorei – Choir
Katy String Ensemble – Musician
Katy Vocal Express – Choir
KPHS Madrigals – Choir
Lake Belton High School Choir – Choir
Lee Family High-Wheeled Bicycles – Parade
Manvel Theatre – Choir
Montgomery HS A Cappella – Choir
Musicale – McNeil High School – Choir
Music In Medicine – Musician
Nick Sharpe – Magician
O’Connell Preparatory – Play/Performance
Silverlynx – Choir
Singlestick – Play/Performance
Sky Kings Falconry – Special Event
St. Thomas Episcopal Pipe Band – Musician
Susan Just – Musician
Syncope – Choir
Texas Volunteer Band – Musician
The Traveling Pianist – Musician
True Cross Fife and Drum – Musician
Victorian Fencing Society – Play/PerformanceENTERTAINER APPLICATIONS
Applications are closed for the 2023 Dickens on The Strand! Please submit your information for placement on our standby list for this year’s event.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are non-refundable. The festival is open rain or shine. GHF is not responsible for independent transactions between visitors and vendors. We are committed to making Dickens on The Strand special needs accessible. If we can assist with arrangements, please contact us at 409-765-7834 in advance of your visit.
Pets and ice chests are not allowed. Scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, skates, Segways and other recreational “wheels” are forbidden. Guests bringing in costume weapons and props must have them secured will be asked to go through additional screening.
