A Christmas Carol An adaptation of the Charles Dickens story By Ron Nicol Spotlight Publications

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1 A Christmas Carol An adaptation of the Charles Dickens story By Ron Nicol Spotlight Publications

2 A Christmas Carol Dramatis Personae Ebenezer Scrooge Bob Cratchit, his clerk Fred, Scrooge s nephew Two Gentlemen / Gentlewomen Child carol singer (voice off) Jacob Marley Ghost of Christmas Past Scrooge as a boy Fan, Scrooge s younger sister Young Scrooge Dick Wilkins Mr Fezziwig Mrs Fezziwig Miss Fezziwig Two other Miss Fezziwigs (n/s) Six Admirers (n/s) Fiddler (n/s) Scrooge as a young man Belle, Scrooge s fiancée George, Belle s husband Ghost of Christmas Present Albert Cockney Victoria Mrs Cratchit Belinda Cratchit Peter Cratchit Martha Cratchit Tiny Tim Cratchit Caroline, Fred s wife Topper Agnes, Topper s fiancée Ignorance (n/s) Want (n/s) Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come Two Businessmen Old Joe Charwomanwoman Mrs Mrs Dilber Woman debtor Man debtor Gravedigger (n/s) Child Delivery Man Carol Singers Shoppers, Revellers, Guests, friends, neighbours (n/s) There are many possibilities for including additional non/speaking characters, for example further shoppers, or extra guests at the Fezziwig dance and Fred s party. However, some n/s roles might be

3 dispensed with if desired. Depending on the size of company, doubling, trebling and even quadrupling are possible. There are many combinations - as many as ingenuity and the ability of the cast can suggest! Just a few examples:- First Gentleman + Albert + First Businessman + Gravedigger Second Gentleman + Cockney + Second Businessman Second Gentlewoman + Victoria Jacob Marley + Old Joe or Mr Fezziwig + Old Joe or even Mr Fezziwig + Albert + Old Joe Mrs Fezziwig + Victoria + Charwoman or Mrs Dilber Belle + Caroline + woman debtor George + Topper + Man debtor Dick Wilkins + Topper Scrooge as a Young Man + Topper Miss Fezziwig 1 + Martha Cratchit Miss Fezziwig 2 + Belinda Cratchit Miss Fezziwig 3 + Agnes Ghost of Christmas Past + Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come Child carol singer + child ISBN COPYRIGHT RON NICOL 2002 Published by Spotlight Publications All rights are reserved including performances on stage, radio and television. No part of this publication may be copied by whatever means without the prior permission of the copyright owner. It is an infringement of the copyright to give any performance or public reading of the play before a licence has been issued. Drama groups must obtain a full acting set of scripts (a minimum of one script per speaking part plus one for the director) before a performing licence can be issued. The name of the author shall be stated on all publicity including posters and programmes. Programme credits shall state "script provided by Spotlight Publications". All enquiries to: Spotlight Publications 259 The Moorings Dalgety Bay Fife KY11 9GX Scotland, UK. Tel enquiries@spotlightpublications.com Website:

4 ACT 1 Christmas Eve. DS lighting fades up slightly. Passers-by cross the stage individually and in groups, carrying parcels, gifts, holly wreaths, perhaps a Christmas tree. Carol Singers enter, dressed in overcoats and mufflers and carrying lanterns. As they sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing many passers-by stop, listen, and join in. When the carol finishes, seasonal greetings are exchanged as the passers-by and singers exit, chatting and laughing Silence falls, except for the loud ticking of a clock. The light fades up slowly to reveal Scrooge and Marley s Counting House. There are two desks with stools, a table and some upright chairs, a hat-stand in the corner. Beside a fire place is a high-backed wing armchair with a blanket thrown over it. Scrooge and Cratchit are at their desks. Cratchit blows on his hands, rubs them together, looks towards Scrooge, then creeps stealthily towards the fire Scrooge What are you doing, Cratchit? Cratchit It s very cold, Mr Scrooge. I thought I might put another coal on the fire. Scrooge More coal? Cratchit Just one piece, Mr Scrooge. A very small piece, sir Scrooge Are you aware of the price of coal, Cratchit? Cratchit Well, Mr Scrooge, I just thought Scrooge You re not paid to think, Cratchit, but to work! Suffice it to say that if you intend to be profligate with my coal, the extra expense might make it necessary for us to part. Cratchit Part, sir? Scrooge It might put me in a mind to consider terminating your employment forthwith. Cratchit Yes, Mr Scrooge, sir. As you say, sir. He returns to his desk, wraps his scarf - three foot long with a fringe - round himself and tries to warm his hands at the candle on his desk The counting house doorbell tinkles as the door opens and closes. Scrooge s nephew Fred enters Fred A merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you! Scrooge Bah! Humbug! Fred Christmas a humbug, Uncle? You don t mean that, I m sure. Scrooge I do. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You re poor enough. Fred Come then, what right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You re rich enough. Scrooge Bah! Humbug! Fred Don t be cross, Uncle. Scrooge What else can I be when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money. A time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer. A time for balancing your books and having every item in em presented dead against you. If I had my will, every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart! He should! Fred Uncle! Scrooge Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine. Fred But you don t keep it... Scrooge Let me leave it alone, then. Much good may it do you! Much good has it ever done you. Fred I ve always thought of Christmas time as a good time. A kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time when men and women open their hearts freely and think of other people. And therefore, Uncle, though it s never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe it s done me good and will do me good, and I say, God bless it!

5 Cratchit applauds. Scrooge glares at him. Cratchit coughs and bends his head over his work Scrooge Let me hear another sound from you, Cratchit, and you ll keep Christmas by losing your situation! (To Fred) You re a powerful speaker, nephew. I wonder you don t go into Parliament. Fred Don t be angry, Uncle. Come and dine with us tomorrow. Scrooge I ll see you in hell first! Fred But why? Why? Scrooge Why did you get married? Fred Because I fell in love. Scrooge Because you fell in love! That s the only thing in the world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas! Fred But Uncle, you never came to see me before I married. Why give it as a reason for not coming now? Scrooge Good afternoon. Fred I want nothing from you. I ask nothing of you. Why can t we be friends? Scrooge Good afternoon! Fred I m sorry with all my heart to find you so resolute. We ve never had any quarrel to which I ve been a party, but I ve tried in honour of Christmas - and I ll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So, a merry Christmas, Uncle! Scrooge Good afternoon. Fred And a happy New Year! Scrooge Good afternoon! Fred crosses to the door Fred The season s greetings, Bob! Merry Christmas! Cratchit (whispers) And a very merry Christmas to you, sir, I m sure! Scrooge You re another one, Cratchit! Fifteen shillings a week and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas! I ll retire to Bedlam. Fred exits. The door bell rings as the door opens. We hear an exchange of Christmas greetings between Fred and the newcomers. The door bell rings as the door closes. Two gentlemen/women enter, carrying notebooks Gent 1 Scrooge and Marley s, I believe. Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr Scrooge or Mr Marley? Scrooge Mr Marley s been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago this very night. No doubt about it. Dead as a doornail. Gent 1 (presenting credentials) I ve no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner. Scrooge Mr Marley and I were of like minds, you may count on it. Liberality, indeed! He frowns, shakes his head, and hands the credentials back Gent 1 At this festive season, Mr Scrooge, it s more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Gent 2 Many thousands are in want of common necessities, hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts. Scrooge Are there no prisons? Gent 1 Plenty of prisons. Scrooge And the workhouses? Are they still in operation? Gent 1 They are. Gent 2 Still. I wish I could say they were not. Scrooge The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then? Gent 1 Both very busy, sir. Scrooge Oh! I was afraid from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course. I m very glad to hear it. Gent 2 They scarcely furnish Christian cheer, Mr Scrooge.

6 Gent 1 A few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose Christmas because it s a time when want is keenly felt. Gent 2 What shall I put you down for? Scrooge Nothing. Gent 2 You wish to be anonymous? Scrooge I wish to be left alone! Since you ask me what I wish, that is my answer. I don t make merry myself at Christmas and I can t afford to make idle people merry. I help support the establishments I ve mentioned. They cost enough, and those who are badly off must go there. Gent 2 Many can t go there, and many would rather die. Scrooge If they d rather die, they d better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Good afternoon. Gent 1 But Mr Scrooge... Scrooge It s not my business. It s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not interfere with other people s. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon! The gentlemen/women exit. The door bell rings as the door opens and closes A child is heard singing God Bless You, Merry Gentlemen off. Scrooge listens for a few moments, then seizes a ruler and crosses to the door. The door bell rings as the door opens. The singing stops. Child (off) Spare a penny, sir? Scrooge (off) Be off with you! Child (off) Garn! Skinflint! Scrooge Wretch! Child (distant) Skinflint! Miser! Sounds of pursuit off A church bell rings a quarter to the hour. Cratchit rises quietly, snuffs out the candle, puts on his coat and scarf and edges towards the exit The door bell rings as the door slams. Scrooge enters Scrooge Cratchit! Cratchit Yes, sir? Scrooge Where are you going, Cratchit? Cratchit Er - home, sir. Scrooge Is it the hour for shutting up the counting house? Cratchit Um - not quite, Mr Scrooge. There are a few minutes yet. Scrooge Then why are you sidling towards the door in that shifty manner? Cratchit It s Christmas Eve, sir. Scrooge Christmas Eve! Is that sufficient reason for finishing early? And you ll want all day tomorrow, I suppose? Cratchit If it s quite convenient, sir. Scrooge It s not convenient. And it s not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you d think yourself illused, I ll be bound. Yet you don t think me ill-used when I pay a day s wages for no work. Cratchit It s only once a year, sir. Scrooge A poor excuse for picking a man s pocket every twenty-fifth of December. Well, I suppose you must have the whole day. But be here all the earlier next morning. Cratchit Yes, sir. I will, sir. A merry - er - goodbye, Mr Scrooge. Cratchit exits hastily. The door bell rings as the door opens and closes Scrooge begins to clear his desk The light fades slightly. Knocking at the door. Scrooge looks up. Pause. Nobody enters. Scrooge rises and exits. The door bell rings as he opens the door. He closes it with a slam, locks and bars it. He re-

7 enters and waits, listening Loud knocking at the door Scrooge Leave me in peace! Marley (off) Ebenezer Scrooge! Scrooge freezes and cautiously looks around. The light continues to fade Scrooge Bah! Humbug! Marley (off, louder) Ebenezer Scrooge! Thunderous knocking. Scrooge dives behind his desk. The echoes die away. Scrooge peers from behind the desk. The lighting is now dim Scrooge (quietly) Humbug! He nervously checks - nobody under the desk, nobody in the drawers, nobody behind the chairs or other furniture. He takes off his coat, hangs it on the hat-stand, pulls out his long shirt as a night-shirt, takes his dressing-gown, shakes it carefully - nobody in it - puts it on, looks inside his slippers, shakes them - feels down to the toes - nobody - puts them on, takes a night-cap from the dressing-gown pocket, puts it on, and sits in the high-backed wing chair by the fireplace. He takes a bowl of gruel from the hearth and begins to eat The door bell rings. Scrooge looks up. Silence. He takes another spoonful. Every bell in the house begins to ring. Sudden silence, then clanking chains and echoing footsteps approaching slowly, getting louder. The light gradually changes to a ghostly green. It s humbug still. I won t believe it. A door creaks open. Marley's ghost enters behind him - as mysteriously as possible. His clothes belong to a period some ten years earlier - pigtail, waistcoat, tails, and boots with tassels. Chains with cashboxes, keys and padlocks are wound round his body Scrooge turns and reacts How now! What do you want with me? Marley Much. Scrooge Who are you? Marley Ask me who I was. Scrooge Who were you, then? Marley In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley. Scrooge I don t know if a ghost s able to take a chair. If it s not possible I wouldn t want you to be involved in an embarrassing explanation, but - if I were to ask you to be seated - can you sit down? Marley I can. I m quite used to it. Scrooge Do it then. Marley You don t believe in me. Scrooge I don t. Marley Why do you doubt your senses? Scrooge Because a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats. You might be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There s more of gravy than the grave about you, whoever you are. Marley You re not in the habit of cracking jokes, Ebenezer. You don t feel, in your heart, by any means waggish? Scrooge You see this toothpick? Marley I do.

8 Scrooge You re not looking at it. Marley I see it, notwithstanding. Scrooge I have but to swallow this, and be for the rest of my days persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own creation. Humbug, I tell you. Humbug! Marley rises, rattling his chains and shrieking and moaning terribly. Scrooge falls to his knees Mercy! Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me? Marley Man of the worldly mind! Do you believe in me, or not? Scrooge I do. I must. But why do spirits walk the earth - and why do they come to me? Marley It s required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow men, and travel far and wide. If that spirit goes not forth in life, it s condemned to do so after death. Doomed to wander through the world and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth and turned to happiness. A Christmas Carol Plot Summary Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley, and visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Glimpses of his past life, visits to the happy households of his clerk and his nephew, and fearful visions of the future make him change his miserable nature. Duration: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes The action takes place in various locations but mainly in Scrooge's rooms and his mind. Time s, 1780s

who had also been a tight-fisted miser. Jacob had been dead for seven years. There was no doubt that he was dead. No doubt at all, and this must be

who had also been a tight-fisted miser. Jacob had been dead for seven years. There was no doubt that he was dead. No doubt at all, and this must be clearly understood, or the story I am about to relate