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A Christmas Carol - an easy to deliver play - in front of school or in classroom. Detailed production notes explain how the script can be used either for performance - cast of 20 plus, or as a classroom resource, with 4 groups of 6. This is intended as an easy to deliver Christmas play - the notes for use within the classroom facilitating the process further, so that performance practise sessions can happen easily, within lesson time (i.e. guided reading exercise) Duration: Around 10 - 15 minutes One of a collection of Christmas plays written by Sue Russell and available off www.plays-r-ussell.com This adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous story, despite its brevity, still delivers on ‘packing an emotional punch’ – the lesson that love, not money, is the key to happiness, particularly relevant in our lives today. A Christmas Carol extract A Christmas Carol Cast (in order of appearance – see Production Notes at the end for class reading and/or performance suggestions and numbers) (*denotes doubling) Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Narrator Narrator Narrator Scrooge Scrooge Scrooge Bob Crachit Ghost of Jacob Marley Spirit of Christmas Present Nephew Spirit of Christmas Past Bob Crachit (non-speaking part) Charity Worker 1 Young Scrooge Nephew Charity Worker 2 Little Fan Child 1 – Girl (Want) Old Fezziwig (non-speaking part) Child 2 – Boy (Ignorance) *Belle *Belle’s husband Scene 4 Narrator Scrooge Spirit of Christmas Future (non-speaking part) Business Man Old Joe (Pawn Merchant) Mother Bob Crachit Narrator: Scene 1. London - in the reign of Queen Victoria. It was Christmas Eve and everybody was out having fun. (Pauses) Well, almost everybody. (Scrooge and Bob Crachit, both sitting, doing paperwork, at tables a little distance apart; Crachit is rubbing his hands together to keep them warm) Scrooge: Come on, Crachit! Haven’t you finished those papers for me yet? Crachit: (Muttering) Well, it’s not so easy when your fingers are numb with cold! Scrooge: (Sharply) Is that meant to be some kind of excuse? Crachit: (Hurriedly) No of course not, Mr. Scrooge! I was just commenting on … on … (Crachit ‘saved’ by loud knocking at the door) Scrooge: And who the devil can that be? (Shouting) Come in! (Nephew comes bouncing into the room, full of jollity; goes over and shakes hands with Scrooge, and then Crachit) Nephew: Merry Christmas, Uncle! Merry Christmas, Bob! My, what cold hands you both have! It’s like the North Pole in here! Scrooge: (Coughing) And your business here today, Nephew? As you can see, some of us have work to do! Nephew: Oh I’m sorry, uncle! The purpose of my call was merely to invite you to Christmas dinner with us tomorrow. Scrooge: Well, thank you for asking but, as you know, I’m not one for all that Christmas stuff. So I’ll pass, if you don’t mind. Nephew: (Sighing) Very well, uncle. (Turning to Bob Crachit, and speaking to him behind his hand) I’m hoping for a miracle one year - when he says ‘Yes’! Scrooge: (Peevishly) What was that? Speak up, Nephew! You know my hearing is going ….. a little like my patience..! Now, if you don’t mind …. Nephew: Yes, yes. I’m off! Wishing you both … A very merry Christmas! (Exit) Crachit: What a charming young man! You must be so proud of him? Scrooge: (Looking up from his papers) Hey? What? Have you done those papers for me yet, or am I going to be waiting ‘til midnight? Crachit: I sincerely hope not! Don’t you know what day it is today, Mr. Scrooge? Scrooge: Are you still talking? Crachit: But it’s Christmas Eve, Mr. Scrooge. If I could go just a little earlier than usual, so I have some time with my family? Scrooge: Christmas! Humbug! All this fuss and nonsense! Bah! Humbug I say! (Loud knocking at the door) Scrooge: Now what? (Thunders) Come in! (2 Charity Workers nervously usher themselves into the office) Charity Worker 1: Ah! Mr. Scrooge, I believe! Scrooge: (Angrily) You believe right! What do you want? (Both Charity Workers hold out alms boxes for the poor) Charity Worker 2: At this time of year … Scrooge: (Interrupting) I wish to be left alone! Crachit? Show these good people to the door! Both Workers: But Mr. Scrooge! A little charity! Scrooge: Charity? Bah Humbug to you and all your good causes! Just leave me in peace! (Crachit ushers Charity Workers, still protesting, towards the door, apologizing as he lets them out) (Exit Charity Workers) Scrooge: Peace at last! And as my patience has run its course for today, you may also show yourself out, Mr. Crachit! Crachit: Are you sure, Mr. Scrooge? Scrooge: (Impatiently) Of course I’m sure! Just go before I change my mind! (Crachit grabs his coat and runs for the door) Crachit: A merry Christmas to you, Mr. Scrooge! (Exit) (Scrooge mutters a few more ‘Bah Humbug’s and continues with his work)
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