It's curtain up for the Walford Players in EastEnders!

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi
It's time to put on make-up… The Walford Players are all set for their first performance of A Christmas Carol (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

Will everything go to plan when the locals put on their first performance of A Christmas Carol?

After weeks of backstage bickering and artistic differences, the moment of truth is rapidly approaching for the Walford Players as they prepare for the opening  of A Christmas Carol. One person definitely not looking forward to the big night is Bex Fowler, as Louise's involvement in the production looks set to escalate the pair's war over Shakil. But the show must go on –  will it be a night to remember, or an embarrassing flop?

It's time to put on make-up… The Walford Players are all set for their first performance of A Christmas Carol (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

It's time to put on make-up… The Walford Players are all set for their first performance of A Christmas Carol

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

It's time to put on make-up… The Walford Players are all set for their first performance of A Christmas Carol (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

It's time to put on make-up… The Walford Players are all set for their first performance of A Christmas Carol

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

Among those busy backstage is Linda, who helps Carmel get ready for curtain up (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Among those busy backstage is Linda, who helps Carmel get ready for curtain up

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

As nerves start to jangle, Derek gives the cast a pep talk (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

As nerves start to jangle, Derek gives the cast a pep talk

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

It looks like Mick regrets getting roped in to the production by Denise (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

It looks like Mick regrets getting roped in to the production by Denise

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

From behind the curtain, Derek and Denise watch Patrick and Carmel perform (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

From behind the curtain, Derek and Denise watch Patrick and Carmel perform

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

Will the Fowler clan win over the audience with their portrayal of the Cratchit family? (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Will the Fowler clan win over the audience with their portrayal of the Cratchit family?

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

It's soon the turn of Kush and Patrick to take centre stage (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

It's soon the turn of Kush and Patrick to take centre stage

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

Meanwhile, Martin Fowler looks as though he may be suffering from stagefright! (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Meanwhile, Martin Fowler looks as though he may be suffering from stagefright!

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

Soon, it's the moment Bex has been dreading: the part of the play when Louise has to kiss Shakil (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Soon, it's the moment Bex has been dreading: the part of the play when Louise has to kiss Shakil

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

In the wings, Bex is heartbroken as she looks on (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

In the wings, Bex is heartbroken as she looks on

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

Afterwards, Derek makes some observations about Patrick's role as Ebenezer Scrooge (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Afterwards, Derek makes some observations about Patrick's role as Ebenezer Scrooge

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

In the café, the next day, Kush, Kathy and Donna are among those reflecting on the big night (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

In the café, the next day, Kush, Kathy and Donna are among those reflecting on the big night

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

While Patrick seems preoccupied with his own performance (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

While Patrick seems preoccupied with his own performance

Bex Fowler, Louise Mitchell, Shakil Kazemi

Denise looks animated as she approaches her friend: so was the first night a hit, or a miss? Find out by watching EastEnders from Monday 19 December (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Denise looks animated as she approaches her friend: so was the first night a hit, or a miss? Find out by watching EastEnders from Monday 19 December