AWEDNESBURYCHRISTMASCAROL
CHARACTERLIST
CharlesDickens-Demi
Scrooge-Harry
BobCratchit-Ewan
Fred(ScroogesNephew)-Bevan
CharityWorker-Millie
TheghostofJacobMarley-Shannon
TheghostofChristmaspast(FirstSpirit)-Paris
YoungScrooge-Keegan
Fan(ScroogesSister)-Isla
TheghostofChristmasPresent-Amir
MrsCratchet-Broody
CratchitChild-Jaydon
TinyTina-Lauren
FredsWife-Maddison
PartyGuest1Courtney/PartyGuest2Leah/PartyGuest3Sian
TheghostofChristmasYetToCome(NonSpeakingRole)Brandon
Businessman1Jonathan/Businessman2Paris
Thief1Courtney/Thief2Leah/Thief3Sian
OldJoe-Freddie
ACTONE
SCENE1–overtureplaysandCharlesDickensentersfromthebackofthehallandmakeshiswaythroughthe
audience.Whenhereachesthestageheremoveshishatandcoatandaddressestheaudiencefromcentre
stage.
CHARLESDICKENS:Goodeveningladiesandgentleman!MynameisCharlesDickens,butyoucancallme
Charlie.Youmighthaveheardofmebefore,I’vehadafewclassics.Whocouldforgetthetaleoftwocities?
Ortheyoungboywhoaskedformore,‘Oliver’?Butitistonightladiesandgentlemanthatyouareaboutto
witnessmymostfamousstoryofall!Ataleofamanwhogoesonamomentousjourneytolearnthetrue
meaningofChristmas!ItismypleasuretonighttotakeyouonthismagicaljourneysonowIpleaseaskthat
youtoswitchoffallmobiletelephonesandmakeyourselfcomfortableasthe5starperformanceacademy
presenttoyou,AWednesburyChristmasCarol...
SLIDESHOWS‘MARLEYWASDEADTOBEGINWITH...’
SCENE2–MusicalNumber‘Scrooge’
When a cold wind blows it chills you, chills you to the bone
But there's nothing in nature that freezes your heart
Like years of being alone
It paints you with indifference like a lady paints with rouge
And the worst of the worst
The most hated and cursed
Is the one that we call Scrooge
Unkind as any
And the wrath of many
This is that Ebenezer Scrooge
Oh, there goes Mr. Humbug
There goes Mr. Grim
If they gave a prize for bein' mean
The winner would be him
Old Scroogey loves his money
'Cause he thinks it gives him power
If he became a flavor you can bet he would be sour
There goes Mr. Skinflint
There goes Mr. Greed
The undisputed master of
The underhanded deed
He charges folks a fortune
For his dark and drafty houses
As poor folk live in misery
It's even worse for mouses
He must be so lonely
He must be so sad
He goes to extremes
To convince us he's bad
He's really a victim of fear and of pride
Look close and there must be
A sweet man inside--Naaaah!
There goes Mr. Outrage
There goes Mr. Sneer
He has no time for friends or fun
His anger makes that clear
Don't ask him for a favor
'Cause his nastiness increases
No crust of bread for those in need
No cheeses for us meeses
There goes Mr. Heartless
There goes Mr. Cruel
He never gives
He only takes
He lets his hunger rule
If bein' mean's a way of life you
Practice and rehearse
Then all that work is paying off
'Cause Scrooge is getting worse
Every day
In every way
Scrooge is getting worse
Numberendsandscroogeiswritingathisdesk,BobCratchitisfilingpapersandlooksbitterlycold.
CHARLESDICKENS:Scroogewasatightfistedhandatthegrindstone!Asqueezing,wrenching,grasping,
scraping,clutching,covetousoldsinner!Hecarriedhisowncoldtemperaturealwaysaboutwithhim;heiced
hisofficeinthedog-days,anddidn’tthawitonedegreeatChristmas.Nobodyeverstoppedhiminthestreet
tosay,“MydearScrooge,howareyou?Whenwillyoucometoseeme?”Andforgoodreason...
SCROOGE:Bah!Humbug.
BOBCRATCHIT:IfyoupleaseMrScrooge,thefiresgoneoutinthisofficeanditscold,bleak,bitingweather!
SCROOGE:AreyouaftercoalagainCratchit?Iletyouhaveashovelfulyesterday,don’tyouremember?You
andIwillfinditnecessarytopartifyoucontinuethisway!
BOB:YesMrScrooge.
SCROOGE:GoandwarmyourhandsoveryourcandleCratchit,thenyouwon’tbeadrainonthefirm!
BOB:CertainlyMrScrooge.ThankyouMrScrooge.
Scroogesnephew‘Fred’enters
FRED:AMerryChristmas,Uncle!Godsaveyou!
SCROOGE:Bah!Humbug
FRED:Christmasisahumbug,Uncle?Ihopethat’smeantasajoke.
SCROOGE:Well,it’snot.Come,whatisityouwant?Don‟twasteallday,Nephew.
FRED:IonlywanttowishyouaMerryChristmas,Uncle.Don‟tbecross.
SCROOGE:WhatelsecanIbewhenIliveinsuchaworldoffoolsasthis?MerryChristmas!OutwithMerry
Christmas!What‟sChristmastoyoubutatimeforpayingbillswithoutmoney;atimeforfindingyourselfa
yearolderbutnotanhourricher.IfIcouldworkmywill,everyidiotwhogoesaboutwith“MerryChristmas”
onhislipsshouldbeboiledwithhisownpuddingandburiedwithastakeofhollythroughhisheart.
FRED:Uncle!
SCROOGE:Nephew,keepChristmasinyourownwayandletmekeepitinmine.
FRED:Butyoudon‟tkeepit.
SCROOGE:Thenleaveitalonethen,muchgooditmaydoyou.Muchgoodithaseverdoneyou.
FRED:AlthoughChristmashasneverputascrapofgoldinmypocket,Ibelieveithasdonemegoodandwill
domegood,andIsayGodblessit!
SCROOGE:Bah!
FRED:Don‟tbeangry,Uncle.Come!Dinewithustomorrow.
SCROOGE:I‟lldinealone,thankyou.
FRED:Why?
SCROOGE:Why?Whydidyougetmarried?
FRED:Why,becauseIfellinlovewithawonderfulgirl.
SCROOGE:AndIwithsolitude.Goodafternoon.
FRED:Nay,Uncle,butyounevercametoseemebeforeIwasmarried.Whygiveitasareasonfornot
comingnow?
SCROOGE:Goodafternoon.
FRED:Iamsorrywithallmyhearttofindyousodetermined;butIhavemadetheattempttohomage
Christmas,andI‟llkeepthatgoodspirittothelast.So,aMerryChristmas,Uncle.
SCROOGE:GoodAfternoon!
FRED:AndaHappyNewYear!(Heexits)
CHARLESDICKENS:JustasFredleftthebitterlycoldoffice,apassinggentlemanenteredthroughthedoor...
CHARITYWORKER:HaveIthepleasureofaddressingMr.Scrooge?
(Scroogesaysnothing.Eyeshimwithsuspicion)
CHARITYWORKER:Wearecollectingfundsforthepoor.Wechoosethistime,becauseitisatime,ofall
others,whenwantiskeenlyfelt.Manythousandsareinwantofcommonnecessaries;hundredsof
thousandsareinwantofcommoncomforts.
SCROOGE:Aretherenoprisons?
CHARITYWORKER:Plentyofprisons.
SCROOGE:Andtheunionworkhouses?Aretheystillinoperation?
CHARITYWORKER:Theyare.IwishIcouldsaytheywerenot.
SCROOGE:I’mverygladtohearit.
CHARITYWORKER:SowhatshallIputyoudownfor?
SCROOGE:Nothing!
CHARITYWORKER:Youwishtobeanonymous?
SCROOGE:Iwishtobeleftalone!IhelpsupporttheestablishmentsIhavementioned—theycostenough;
andthosewhoarebadlyoffmustgothere.
CHARITYWORKER:Manycan’tgothere.Andmanywouldratherdie.
SCROOGE:Iftheywouldratherdie,theyhadbetterdosoanddecreasethesurpluspopulation.Besides…it’s
notmybusiness.It’senoughforamantounderstandhisownbusiness,andnottointerferewiththeaffairs
ofotherpeople’s.Goodafternoonsir!
CHARLESDICKENS:Withthat,thegentlemanranhometoTiptonasfastashecouldandleftScroogeand
Bobtotheirbusiness...
SCROOGE:Latchthedoor,Cratchit.Firmly,firmly!Cratchit!!
BOB:Yes,sir?
SCROOGE:Well,toworkthen!
BOB:It‟sevening,sir.
SCROOGE:Isit?
BOB:Christmasevening,sir.
SCROOGE:Oh,you‟llwantalldaytomorrowoff,Isuppose.
BOB:Ifit‟squiteconvenient,sir.
SCROOGE:It‟snotconvenient,andit‟snotfair.IfIwastodeducthalfacrownfromyoursalaryforit,you‟d
thinkyourselfillused,wouldn‟tyou?Stillyouexpectmetopayaday‟swageforadayofnowork.
BOB:It‟sonlyonceayear,sir.
SCROOGE:Beherealltheearlierthenextmorning.
BOB:Iwill,sir.MerryChristmas,Sir!
SCROOGE:Bah!Humbug.
ChristmasMusicplaysasScroogeandCratchitleavetheoffice.
SCENE3-CharlesDickenstakescentrestagesettingupScroogesbedroom.
CHARLESDICKENS:ItwaslateChristmaseveandWednesburywasshuttingupforChristmas.Fogandfrost
enshroudtheoldanddrearybuildinginwhichScroogelivedalone.BeforeScroogeretiredtohisbedroomhe
didhisroutinelychecktomakesureeverythingwasasitshouldbe.Nobodyunderthetable,nobodyunder
thesofa,nobodyinhisdressinggown...Withthatheenteredhisgloomybedtimechambersthathadonce
belongedtohisdeceasedpartnerJACOBMARLEY...
Lightscomedown,shouldbeaspookyatmospheremaybesomeghostlymusic..andthensilence!Abellrings
andscroogeawakes!TheghostofJacobMarleyenters...
SCROOGE:Whatdoyouwantwithme?
MARLEY:Much.
SCROOGE:Whoareyou?
MARLEY:AskwhoIwas.
SCROOGE:Whowereyou?
MARLEY:Inlife,Iwasyourpartner,JacobMarley.
SCROOGE:He‟sDead.
MARLEY:Sevenyearsthisnight,EbenezerScrooge.
SCROOGE:Whydoyoucomehere?
MARLEY:Imust.Itiscommandedofme.ImustwandertheworldandseewhatIcannolongershare,whatI
wouldnotsharewhenIwalkedwhereyoudo.
SCROOGE:Andthechains?
MARLEY:Locksandvaultsandgoldencoins.Iforgedit,eachlink,eachdaywhenIsatinthesechairs,
commandedtheserooms.Greed,EbenezerScrooge,wealth.Feelthem,knowthem.Yourswasasheavyas
thisIwearsevenyearsagoandyouhavelaboredtobuilditsince.
SCROOGE:Ifyou‟reheretolecture,Ihavenotimeforit.Itislate,thenightiscold.Iwantcomfortnow.
MARLEY:Ihavenonetogive.Iknownothowyouseemethisnight.Ididnotaskit.Ihavesatinvisiblebeside
youmanyandmanyaday.Iamcommandedtobringyouachance,Ebenezer.
SCROOGE:Quicklythen,quickly.
MARLEY:Youwillbehauntedbythreespirits.
SCROOGE:(Scoffing)Isthatthechance?
MARLEY:Markit.
SCROOGE:Idonotchooseto.
MARLEY:ThenyouwillwalkwhereIdo,burdenedbyyourriches,yourgreed.
SCROOGE:Spiritsmeannothingtome.
MARLEY:(Slowlyleaving)Expectthefirsttomorrow,whenthebelltollsone...Imustwander.Lookthat,for
yourownsake,yourememberwhathaspassedbetweenus.
SCROOGE:Jacob…Don‟tleaveme!...Jacob!Jacob!(Hefallstohiskness)
CHARLESDICKENS:WiththatScroogecollapsedintoatroubledsleeponlytobeawokenwiththesoundof
thechimes....
CHIMESSOUND–blackout
LIGHTSUP–GhostofChristmasPasthasappearedbeforehim.
SCROOGE:Areyouthespiritwhosecomingwasforetoldtome?
FIRSTSPIRIT:Iam.
SCROOGE:Whoandwhatareyou?
FIRSTSPIRIT:IamtheGhostofChristmasPast.
SCROOGE:Whyareyouhere?
FIRSTSPIRIT:Yourwelfare.Rise.Walkwithme.
MusicasScroogetakesghosthandandtheyexitthroughtheaudience.Asthishappenstheensemblesetup
aplaygroundsceneonthestage-amemoryfromScroogespast.
SCENE4–Theplaygroundscenecomestolife.Childrenplayinggamesoftag,hopscotch,skippingetc.A
youngscroogeissatatadeskalonereading.
FIRSTSPIRIT:Doyouknowwhereweare?
SCROOGE:Iknewit!Iknewyouwouldshowmethis.ThisistheschooliattendedwhenIwasaboy...(He
noticeshisyoungerself)Isthat...
FIRSTSPIRIT:Youryoungerself.
Scroogepeersatthebookthathisyoungerselfisreading.
SCROOGE:It’sAliBaba!OneChristmastime,whenIwasallaloneatschool,hecame,forthefirsttime,just
likethat.DearoldhonestAliBaba.Poorboy.Poor,lonelyboy.
SCROOGE:Butitwasn’tjustAliBabawhocame,wasit?
(FANdartsin.ThrowsherarmsaroundBoyScrooge’sneck.)
SCROOGE:Fan!MydarlingFan…Aliveagain?Oh,Iwishitcouldbe!
FAN:Dear,dearbrother.Ihavecometobringyouhome.Tobringyouhome,home,home!
YOUNGSCROOGE:Home,littleFan?
FAN:Forgoodandall.Foreverandever.Fathersentmeinacoachtobringyou!
MusicalNumber–APlaceCalledHome
Firstspirit:There’saplacecalledhome
Icanalmostsee,witharedfrontdoor,and
Aroaringfire,andaChristmastree.
Yes,aplacecalledhome
Fullofloveandfamily,
AndI’mthereatthedoor
Watchingyoucomehometome.
SCROOGE:Throughtheyears
I’llrecallthisday
FAN/YOUNGSCROOGE/SCROOGE:Inyourarms
WhereIfinallyfoundmyway
Toaplacecalledhome
Andalifefortwo
You’llhaveeverything
Youcouldeverwant
AllIwantisyou
Andaplacecalledhome
YouandIwillalwaysbe
Inthedarkofthenight
LetyourheartcomehomeTome
FIRSTSPIRIT:ThroughtheyearsIrecallthisday...
FAN/YOUNGSCROOGE/SCROOGE:Inyourarms...
FIRSTSPIRIT:Inyourarms
ENSEMBLE:WhenIfinallyfoundmyway
Toaplacecalledhome
Andtolifewithyou
Wherethedaysarelong
Andtheloveisstrong
Andthedreamsaretrue
Toaplacecalledhome
YouandIwillalwaysbe
FIRSTSPIRIT:Inthedarkofthenight
LetyourheartcomehomeTome...
ENSEMBLE:Totheplaceinmyheart
Whereyou’realwayshomeWithme...
EnsembleleaveandtheghostandScroogeareleftaloneonstage...
SCROOGE:Adelicate,delicatechild.Abreathmighthavewitheredher.
FIRSTSPIRIT:Shediesawomanandhad,asIremember,children.
SCROOGE:Onechild.
FIRSTSPIRIT:Yournephew.
SCROOGE:Yes,yes,Fred,mynephew.Well?Wellallofushavethat,haven‟twe?Childhoods?Sadness?But
wegrowandwebecomemen,mastersofourselves.I‟venotimeforit,Spirit..Yes,yes,I‟velearntwhatyou
havetoshowme.Nomore!Idon’twishtoseeit...Leaveme.Takemeback.Hauntmenolonger!
Childrenchant‘TAKEMEBACK’asscroogeendsupinawhirlwindandbacktohischamber.
SCENE5–ScroogeisasleepinhischamberandDickenstakescentrestage...
CHARLESDICKENS:Scroogefellintoadeepsleep,troubledbytheeventsofthenightsofar.Butitwasnot
longbeforethebellsbegantochimeoncemore...
CLOCKCHIMESAGAIN-intojoyfulmusic!ItisChristmasday.
SECONDSPIRIT:EbenezerScrooge....IamtheGhostofChristmasPresent.Lookuponme!Youhavenever
seenthelikeofmebefore.
SCROOGE:Never.
SECONDSPIRIT:Youseewhatyouwillsee,Scrooge,nomore.WillyouwalkoutwithmethisChristmasEve?
SCROOGE:ButIamnotyetdressed.
SECONDSPIRIT:Takemytails,dearboy,we‟releaving.
SCROOGE:Thenwearetravelinghere?Inthistown?Wednesbury?Justdownthere?
SECONDSPIRIT:Yes,yes,ofcourse.It‟syourChristmas,Scrooge;Iamonlytheguide.
SCROOGE:Whereareyouguidingmeto?
SECONDSPIRIT:BobCratchit‟s.
SCROOGE:Myclerk?
SECONDSPIRIT:Youdidwanttotalktohim?Don‟tworry,Scrooge,youwon‟thaveto...
CHARLESDICKENS:AndwiththattheGhostofChristmaspresentledScroogethroughthestreetsof
Wednesbury.Pastthewellfilledstreets,themeccabingo,throughthesnowinFriarparkuntiltheyreached
BobCratchitshumbledwelling...
TheghostleadsScroogeoffstageastheCratchitfamilysetuponstagetocreateafamilyhome.Music
playingasscenechanges.
SCENE6–BobCratchitshouse.MrsCratchitandtwootherchildrenareseenmillingaroundthehouse.Mrs
Cratchitcouldbecookingetc.
MRSCRATCHIT:GivemeahandwiththisclothBelinda.Whereonearthhasyourfathergotto?
CRATCHITCHILD:Heretheyaremother!
BobandTinyTimenterfromthebackofthestage.
BOB:We’rehere!
MRS.CRATCHIT:HowdidlittleTimbehaveinchurch?
BOB:Asgoodasgold.Andbetter.Hegetsthoughtful,sittingbyhimselfsomuch,andthinksthestrangest
thingsyoueverheard.
MRS.CRATCHIT:Whatdidhesay?
BOB:Hetoldme,cominghome,thathehopedthepeoplesawhim,becausehewasacripple,anditmight
bepleasantforthemtoremember,onChristmasDay,whomadelamebeggarswalkandblindmensee.It’s
sowonderful,seeinghimgrowstrongandhearty...
ActioncrossestoScroogeandsecondspiritwhoarewatchingthisunfold...
SCROOGE:Spirit,tellmeifTinyTimwilllive.
SECONDSPIRIT:Iseeavacantseatinthepoorchimney-corner,andacrutchwithoutanowner,carefully
preserved.Iftheseshadowsremainunalteredbythefuture,thechildwilldie.
SCROOGE:No,no.Oh,no,kindSpirit,sayhewillbespared.
SECONDSPIRIT:Ifhebeliketodie,hehadbetterdoit,anddecreasethesurpluspopulation!
ActioncrossesbacktotheCratchithouse
MRSCRATCHIT:Come!Letseat.
BOB:Mr.Scrooge.I’llgiveyouMr.Scrooge,theFounderoftheFeast.
MRS.CRATCHIT:TheFounderoftheFeastindeed.IwishIhadhimhere.I’dgivehimapieceofmymindto
feastupon,andIhopehe’dhaveagoodappetiteforit.
BOB:Mydear,thechildren.ChristmasDay.
MRS.CRATCHITItshouldbeChristmasDay,Iamsure,onwhichonedrinksthehealthofsuchanodious,
stingy,hard,unfeelingmanasMr.Scrooge.Youknowheis,Robert.Nobodyknowsitbetterthanyoudo.
BOB:Mydear.ChristmasDay.
MRS.CRATCHIT:I’lldrinkhishealthforyoursakeandtheday’s,notforhis.Longlifetohim.AMerry
ChristmasandaHappyNewYear.He’llbeverymerryandveryhappy,Ihavenodoubt.
TINYTIM:ToMrScrooge!
Theensemblejointhemonstageforacarol;maybeSilentNightorOComeAllYefaithful?
SCROOGE:TellmeTinyTimwilllive.Sayhewillbespared!
SECONDSPIRIT:Heisveryill.Evensongcannotkeephimwholethroughacoldwinter.
SCROOGE:Spiritsayhewillbespared!
CarolclosesAct1
ACTTWO
SCENE7–MusicalNumber‘ItFeelsLikeChristmas’
It'sinthesingingofastreetcornerchoir
It'sgoinghomeandgettingwarmbythefire
It'strue,whereeveryoufindlove,itfeelslikeChristmas
Acupofkindnessthatwesharewithanother
Asweetreunionwithafriendorabrother
Inalltheplacesyoufindlove,itfeelslikeChristmas
Itistheseasonoftheheart
Aspecialtimeofcaring
Thewaysoflovemadeclear
Itistheseasonofthespirit
Themessageifwehearit
Is'Makeitlastallyear'
It'sinthegivingofagifttoanother
Apairofmittensthatweremadebyyourmother
It'sallthewaysthatweshowlovethatfeellikeChristmas
Apartofchildhoodwe'llalwaysremember
ItisthesummerofthesoulinDecember
It'swhenyoudoyourbestforlove,itfeelslikeChristmas
Itistheseasonoftheheart
Aspecialtimeofcaring
Thewaysoflovemadeclear
Itistheseasonofthespirit
Themessageifwehearit
Is'Makeitlastallyear'
It'sinthesingingofastreetcornerchoir
It'sgoinghomeandgettingwarmbythefire
It'strue,whereeveryoufindlove,itfeelslikeChristmas
It'strue,whereeveryoufindlove
ItfeelslikeChristmas
ItfeelslikeChristmas
ItfeelslikeChristmas
ItfeelslikeChristmas
ThemusicalnumberfinishesandtheensembleformpositionsasifataChristmasparty,Scroogeandsecond
spiritstandtogetherasCharlesDickenstakescentrestage.
CHARLESDICKENS:ScroogeandtheSpiritjourneyedfarandwidethatday.Pasthousesbrightlylitbyroaring
fires…wherechildrenranoutintothesnowtogreettheirvisitingrelatives…streetsteemingwithotherson
theirwaytocelebratewithfamilyandfriends.EventuallytheyreachedahousethatScroogerecognised
immediately...
SCROOGE:Thisismydearnephewshouse,ohletsgoinsidespirit!
SpiritleadshimupontothestagetowitnesstheChristmasparty.Fredandhiswifearecentrestagechatting
tosomefriends.
FRED:HesaidthatChristmaswashumbug,asIlive.Hebelievedittoo.
FRED’SWIFE:Moreshameforhim.
FRED:He’sacomicaloldfellow,that’sthetruth,andnotsopleasantashemightbe.Buthisoffensescarry
theirownpunishment,andIhavenothingtosayagainsthim.
FRED’SWIFE:I’msureheisveryrich.Atleastyoualwaystellmeso.
FRED:Hiswealthisofnousetohim.Hedoesn’tdoanygoodwithit.
CharlesDickensbustlesthroughtobreakupthesmallgroup.
CHARLESDICKENS:Enoughchatter,letsplayagame!
SCROOGE:Hereisagame!Onehalfhour,Spirit,onlyone!
FRED:Allright.Ihaveone.
PARTYGUEST1:Avegetable.
FRED:No.
FRED’SWIFEAnanimal?
FREDYes!
CHARLESDICKENS:Doesitgrowl?
FRED:Itdoes.
PARTYGUEST2:Isitadog?
FRED:No.
PARTYGUEST3:Isitabear?
FRED:No.
CHARLESDICKENS:DoesitliveinWednesbury?
FRED:YES!
FREDSWIFE:Doesitwalk?
FRED:Yes!
FREDSWIFE:Ihavefounditout!Iknowwhatitis,Fred.Iknowwhatitis.It’syourUncleScrooge.
FRED:YES!!!
Thepartyallgointorapturousapplauseandlaughter!
SECONDSPIRIT:Come.Mylifeuponthisglobeisverybrief.Itendstonight.
SCROOGETonight!
PRESENT:Thetimeisdrawingnear.
Musicplaysasthescenecomestoanend.Ensemblevacatethestageandtakepropswiththem.BLACKOUT
SCENE8–BackinScroogeschamberandheisaloneonstage.Eeriemusic...CHIMES.GhostofChristmasYet
ToComeappearsonstageandapproachesScrooge.Heoffersahand,hehishiddenunderneathacloak...
SCROOGEI…IaminthepresenceoftheGhostofChristmasYetToCome?
(Spiritsaysnothing.JuststaresatScrooge.)
Youareabouttoshowmeshadowsofthethingsthathavenothappened,butwillhappeninthetimebefore
us,aren’tyou?
(Spiritnods)
SCROOGE:IfearyoumorethananyspecterIhaveseen.Willyounotspeaktome?
(Spiritraiseshisarm.Points,indicatingScroogeistofollowhim.Theyleadoffstage)
SCROOGE-Leadonspirit...
SCENE9-
Ensembleenterontostageinabusy‘market’environment.Theyarebackintheirwinterclothes.Charles
Dickenstakescentrestage.
CHARLESDICKENS:ThespiritledScroogeintoabusystreet,anobscurepartofthetown,whereScroogehad
neverbeenbefore,althoughherecognizeditssituation,anditsbadrepute.Thewayswerefoulandnarrow;
theshopsandhouseswretched;Thewholequarterreekedwithcrime,filth,andmisery.
BUSINESSMAN1:NoIdon’tknowmuchaboutiteitherway.Ionlyknowhe’sDEAD!Oldscratchhasgothis
ownatlast.
BUSINESSMAN2:Whendidhedie?
BUSINESSMAN1:LastnightIbelieve.
BUSINESSMAN2:Why,whatwasthematterwithhim?Ithoughthe’dneverdie!
BUSINESSMAN1:Godknows
BUSINESSMAN2:Whathashedonewithhismoney?
BUSINESSMAN1:Ihaven’theard...Leftittohiscompanyperhaps?Hehasn’tleftittome,that’sallIknow!
Theydisappearintothecrowdsandanothergroupcomeforward
THIEF1:LookatmythingsfirstJoe!I’vegot‘em‘ereready!Here’stheoldmisersblanket!
OLDJOE:Notuptomuch,I’dsayapennyortwo?
THIEF2:Andhere’shispencilcase!
OLDJOE:Nobodywantssecondhandpencilcases!
THIEF3:Here’stheoldmiser’ssheets
OLDJOE:Stainedandrotting...nouseevenasrags!
THIEF1offersoutanotherbundle
OLDJOE:Whatdoyoucallthiseh?Bedcurtains?
THIEF1;Bedcurtains!Whatelse!
OLDJOE:Youdon’tmeantosayyoutookallhisbedcurtainsdown,ringsan’allwhiletheoldmiserwasstill
lyingthere?Beforehe’dbeenputinhisgrave?
THIEF1:YesIdo!Whynot?
OLDJOE:Youwereborntomakeyourfortuneandyou’llcertainlydoit.
THIEF1:Hefrightenedeveryoneawayfromhimwhenhewasalive,toprofituswhenhewasdead.Ha,ha,
ha!
Theydisappearintothecrowd.Scroogeandthespiritcomeforward.
SCROOGE:Spirit.Isee,Isee.Thecaseofthisunhappymanmightbemyown.Mylifetendsthatway,now.
Eeriemusiccontinues.ThespiritleadsScroogeaway.TheensembleleavesthestageandtheyCratchitfamily
setupforthenextscene.
SCENE10:BobCratchitshomeagain.TinyTimsseatisemptyandtheotherchildrenplayquietlyasMrs
Cratchitisseencookingagain.Bobenters.
MRS.CRATCHIT:Youwentthen?
BOB:Yes,mydear.Iwishyoucouldhavegone.Itwouldhavedoneyougoodtoseehowgreenaplaceitis.
Butyou’llseeitoften.ImetMr.Scrooge’snephewFredonmywayhome.Hewasextraordinarilykind.He
saidhewasheartilysorrytohearaboutTinyTim’s...Hesaidifhecouldbeofservicetousinanywayto
contacthim,andhegavemehiscard.ItreallyseemedasifhehadknownourTinyTim,andfeltwithus.
MRS.CRATCHIT:I’msurehe’sagoodsoul.
Theyhuddletogetherinastateofgrief.
SCROOGE:Ohno!NotTinyTim!Spiritwhydoyoudelightintorturingme?
DRAMATICMUSIC
TinyTimslowlywalksforwardthroughtheaudienceholdingagravestone.Thespiritpointstowardsit.
SCROOGE:Iseeastone.Beforeitdrawsneareranswermeonequestionspirit.Arethesetheshadowsof
thingsthatWILLbeoraretheytheshadowsofthingsthatMAYbe?
TinyTimwalksupontothestageandholdsthestonewhichclearlydisplaysEBENEEZERSCROOGE
SCROOGE:EBENEEZERSCROOGE!AmIthatmanthattheytalkedofinthestreets?Inthealleyways?No
spirit!Oh,no,no!Spirit,hearme!IamnotthemanIwas.WhyshowmethisifIampastallhope?Iwill
honourChristmasinmyheartandtrytokeepitallyear!
CHARLESDICKENS:Thewindwashowlingoutside...Scroogeclungtothespiritwithallofhismightbutitwas
nogoodthespiritwasdisappearingatthelightofdawnandbeforeheknewisScroogewasbackinhisbed
chamber...
SCENE11:Scroogewakesupstartledinhisbedchamberandrealisesheisinthepresentdayoncemore.
SCROOGE:Iamhere!Theshadowsofthethingsthatwouldhavebeenmaybedispelled!Iwillforeverlivein
thePast,thePresent,andtheFuture.Isaythisonmyknees,oldJacob,onmyknees.I…Idon’tknowwhatto
do.Iamaslightasafeather.Iamashappyasanangel,asmerryasaschoolboy,asgiddyasadrunkenman!
HespotsCharlesDickenswatchinghimfromthesideofstage.
Youthere!What’stodaymyfinefellow?
CHARLESDICKENS:Today?WhyChristmasDaySir!
SCROOGE:It’sChristmasDay!Ihaven’tmissedit!TheSpiritshavedoneitallinonenight.Theycando
anythingtheylike—ofcoursetheycan!
CHARLESDICKENS:ScroogequicklygotdressedandheadedoutontothestreetsofWednesburywherehe
foundhimselfimmersedinthehustleandbustleofChristmasDay.
ChristmasMusicplaysasensemblereentercelebratingChristmasday.
ScroogereappearsandapproachesFredandhiswife.HeiscarryingaChristmaswreathandaturkey!
SCROOGE:Mydearnephew!
FRED:Whyblessmysoul,whoisthis?
SCROOGE:ItisI!YourUncleScrooge,IwanttocometodinnerwithyoutodayFred.Willyouletme?
Fredclearlylooksgobsmacked.
FREDSWIFE:Letyouin...Letyouin...?WHYOFCOURSE!We’llhaveawonderfulparty!We’vewaitedyears
foryoutocometousforChristmas,we’llhavewonderfulgames!
FRED:We’llallbewonderfullyhappy!Ohlookwhocomesherenow!
TheCratchitfamilyapproachallwrappedupandwithcaution.
SCROOGE:HelloMrCratchit!Andwhatdoyoumeanbybeingabroadatthistimeofday?
BOB:IamverysorrySir.Iambehindmytime...
SCROOGE:Now,I’lltellyouwhat,myfriend.Iamnotgoingtostandthissortofthinganylonger.And
therefore…
(HedigshisfingerinCratchit’schest.Cratchitstaggersback,startled.)
SCROOGE…andthereforeIamabouttoraiseyoursalary!AmerryChristmas,Bob!AmerrierChristmas,
Bob,mygoodfellow,thanIhavegivenyouformanyayear!I’llraiseyoursalary,andassistyourstruggling
family,andwewilldiscussyouraffairsthisveryafternoon!
CHARLESDICKENS:Scroogewasbetterthanhisword.Hediditall,andinfinitelymore;andtoTinyTim,who
didnotdie,hewasasecondfather!Hehadnofurtherinteractionwithspirits,anditwasalwayssaidofhim,
thatheknewhowtokeepChristmaswell,ifanymanalivepossessedtheknowledge.Maythatbetrulysaid
ofus,andallofus!Andso,asTinyTimobserved:
TINYTIM:(steppingforward)GodBlessUs,EveryOne!
MusicalNumber‘GodBlessUsEveryone’
LettheStarsinthesky
Remindusofmanscompassion
Letuslove‘tilwedieandGodBlessuseveryone
Inyourheartthere’salight
Asbrightasastarinheaven
LetitshinethroughthenightandGodBlessuseveryone
Tilleachchildisfed
Tillallmenarefree
Tilltheworldbecomesafamily
Starbystarupaboveand
Kindessbyhumankindness
LightthisworldwithyourloveandGodBlessusEveryone
GodBlessuseveryone!
BOWSANDTABS