Post by Abacus on Nov 8, 2014 13:44:35 GMT -5
This year's xmas play! Last year's was such a hit that we're gonna do it again. And we'll try to make the upcoming year have more play events! So Guild sign ups are for the next two weeks before I post to WP forums.
Last years Play - The Snow Queen Play
~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHARACTERS
Suna - Ebenezer Scrooge - "Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire." A Middle-aged Merchant
Bob Cratchit - "With the Christmas spirit in his heart." Scrooge's Clerk
Fred - "A whole-souled, merry-hearted young married man." Scrooge's Nephew
Two Mission Lassies - (two females) First Second
The Ghost of Jacob Marley - "Dead these seven years." Scrooge's Partner
First Spirit - (Little Girl) The Ghost of Christmas Past
Second Spirit - The Ghost of Christmas Present
Third Spirit - The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be
A Chorus of Young Boys Carol Singers -(two males)
First Caroler - The Leader of the Singers
Mr. Fezziwig - A Jolly Old Merchant
Mrs. Fezziwig - One Vast Substantial Smile
Abacus - Ebenezer Scrooge as a Young Man
Dick - His Fellow Clerk
The Old Fiddler
Bella - Scrooge's First and Only Love
Wisp - Mrs. Cratchit - Bob's Wife
Bob Cratchit's Family:
Belinda - Aged Eighteen
Martha - Aged Seventeen
Peter - Aged Fourteen
Bob - Aged Eleven
Betty - Aged Nine
Bryn - Tiny Tim - Aged Four
Five Ladies, Five Gentlemen and a Little Boy for the Fezziwig Tableau
Costume descriptions to get as close as possible!
~~~~~~~~
NAME text (stage action) *say this action*
ACT ONE
Scene: The counting house of Scrooge and Marley. A dark, dreary office, indicated by brown
curtains at sides, with entrances R. and L. and brown curtains at rear. Note: These rear
curtains must be arranged to be parted, showing the tableau stage back of the real stage.
The tableau stage is elevated a few feet above the real stage (this makes a better picture
but is not absolutely necessary). High desk at R. facing the R. wall. Tall stool at this
desk; ledger, quill pen, ink, candle on this desk. Small, old desk down L., facing audience.
Desk chair back of this desk. Two common wooden chairs at R.C. and L.C. Ledger, quill pen,
books, candle stuck in an old dark bottle, on desk down L.
Before the curtain rises Waits are heard singing off L. Curtain rises disclosing Bob
Cratchit seated on stool, bent over ledger at desk R., working by the light of the candle.
Carolers: (Offstage) *Singing Christmas Songs*
Cratchit: (Sit middle of stage) *turns and listens* (Face carolers still sitting)
Scrooge: (from R. stage) *Slams door*
Cratchit:*hurriedly returns to his work.*
Scrooge: (crosses to stage L.) *flings door open angrily*
Scrooge: (flinging open door L. at this point). Get away from my door. Begone, ye beggars! I've nothing for you.
First Caroler: *sticking his head in through door* Only a shillin', sir, for a merry Christmas, yer honor.
Scrooge: Get away from there or I'll call the police.
First Caroler: Only a shillin', sir.
Scrooge: Not a penny. I have other places to put my money. Go on, now. You don't get a cent.
Not a penny!
First Caroler: All right, sir. Merry Christmas, just the same, sir. (moves away from stage)
Scrooge: (comes down to his desk at L) *Sits at desk muttering* Howling idiots! Give 'em a shilling, hey?
I'd like to give 'em six months in the work'us, that I would. Paupers! I'd show 'em what a merry Christmas is.
Cratchit: *gets down from stool and starts to slink out*(go L.)
Scrooge: Hey!
Cratchit: *pauses* (turns to Scrooge) Yes, sir.
Scrooge: Where you goin'?
Cratchit: I was just goin' to get a few coals, sir. Just to warm us up a bit, sir.
Scrooge: You let my coals alone. Get back to work. I'm not complaining about the cold, am I?
And I'm an older man than you are. Back to work!
Cratchit: *sighs* Yes, sir... *Resumes work*
Scrooge: You want to let my coals alone if you expect to keep your job. I'm not a
millionaire. Understand? *Loudly* Understand?
Cratchit: Yes, sir, I understand.
*Shivers, wraps long white woolen muffler closer about
throat and warms hands at candle.*
Scrooge: Here it is three o'clock, the middle of the afternoon, and two candles burning.
What more do you want? Want me to end up in the poorhouse?
Fred: (Offstage L.) Uncle! Uncle! Where are you? Merry Christmas, uncle.
(Enter onto stage)
(Fred enters from L. He is happy and bright and has a cheerful, loud laugh. He enters
laughing and comes down C.)
Fred: *Laughs cheerfully*
Scrooge: *looking up from his work* Oh, it's you, is it?
Fred: Of course it is, uncle. Merry Christmas! God save you!
Scrooge:*with disgust* Merry Christmas! Bah! Humbug!
Fred:Christmas a humbug, uncle? You don't mean that, I'm sure.
Scrooge: I don't, hey? Merry Christmas! What cause have you got to be merry? You're poor enough.
Fred:*laughing good-naturedly* Come, then, what right have you got to be dismal?
You're rich enough. So, merry Christmas, uncle.
Scrooge: Out upon your 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? You
keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine.
Fred: Keep it? 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: Christmas is a good time, uncle; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the
only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one
consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them in the social
scale. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket,
I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it, God bless Christmas!
Cratchit: *who had been listening eagerly, claps his hands* Good!
Scrooge: Let me hear another sound from you and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your
job. Get to work!
Cratchit: Yes, sir. *Resumes his work on the ledger*
Scrooge: (to Fred) You're quite a powerful speaker, sir. I wonder you don't go into Parliament.
Fred: Don't be angry, uncle. Come, dine with us tomorrow.
Scrooge: Dine with you? Me? I'll see you hanged first. Dine with you? I'll see you in-
Cratchit: *sneezes violently*
Scrooge: What's the matter with you? (Turns to Fred.) I'm a busy man. Good afternoon.
Fred: Come, uncle; say "Yes."
Scrooge: No.
Fred: But why? Why?
Scrooge: *savagely asks* Why did you get married?
Fred: Because I fell in love.
Scrooge:(sit) Bah! *Resumes his work* Good afternoon.
Fred: I want nothing from you. I ask nothing from you. But why can't we be friends?
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
Fred: Uncle I won't part in anger. My dear mother was your only sister-your only relation.
For her sake let us be friends.
Scrooge: *savagely says* Good afternoon.
Fred: I'll still keep the Christmas spirit, uncle. A merry Christmas to you.
Scrooge: *busy at ledger* Bah!
Fred: And a happy New Year.
Scrooge: Good afternoon!
Fred: (goes to Cratchit) And a merry Christmas to you, Bob Cratchit.
Cratchit: (Stands)*getting down from stool, shaking hands with Fred warmly*. Merry Christmas, sir.
God bless it!
Fred: Ay, God bless it! And a happy New Year.
Cratchit: And a happy New Year, too! God bless that, too!
Fred: Ay, Bob, God bless that, too. (Exit L. off stage)
Scrooge: Cratchit, get to work!
Cratchit: (sit) Yes, sir. *Resumes work*
Scrooge: (looks at Cratchit) Humph! Fifteen shillings a week and a wife and six children, and he
talks about a merry Christmas. Humph! *Works on ledger*
(Enter from L. Two Mission Lassies. They come down C.)
First Lass: Scrooge and Marley's, I believe? Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge
or Mr. Marley?
Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago this very
night.
First Lass: We have no doubt his liberality is represented by his surviving partner. *Shows
subscription paper*
Scrooge:Liberality? Humph! *Returns paper to her*
Second Lass: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, we are trying to make some
slight provision for the poor and destitute, who are suffering greatly. Hundreds of
thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.
Scrooge: Are there no prisons?
Second Lass: *sighs* Plenty of prisons, sir.
Scrooge: And the workhouses-are they still in operation?
First Lass: They are, sir; but they scarcely furnish Christmas cheer for mind and body.
We are trying to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.
Second Lass: We chose this time because it is a time when want is keenly felt and abundance
rejoices. What shall we put you down for?
Scrooge: Nothing.
First Lass: You wish to be anonymous?
Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, I don't believe in it.
And I can't afford to make idle people merry. They should go to the poorhouse.
Second Lass: Many of them would rather die, sir, than do that.
Scrooge: *savagely* If they would rather die, they'd better do it and decrease the
population. And besides, I am a very busy man.
First Lass: But, sir-
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
First Lass: I'm sorry, sir. Sorry-
Scrooge: Sorry for them?
First Lass: No, sir, I'm sorry for you, sir. Good afternoon. (Exits L. followed by Second Lass.)
Scrooge: Sorry for me, hey? *Pause. He works. The clock strikes five.* Sorry for me!
Cratchit: *closes his book, blows out candle* Is there anything more, sir? (Comes to C.)
Scrooge: You'll want all day off tomorrow, I suppose?
Cratchit: If it's quite convenient, sir.
Scrooge: Well, it isn't-and it's not fair. If I'd dock you a half a crown for it you'd think
I was ill using you, wouldn't you?
Cratchit: *nervously* I don't know, sir.
Scrooge: And yet you expect me to pay a full day's wages for no work.
Cratchit: It only comes once a year, sir. Only once a year.
Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But I
suppose you've got to have the whole day. But you be here all the earlier next morning.
Cratchit: Oh, yes, indeed, sir. (Goes out R.)
Scrooge: I'll stay here a bit and finish up the work.
Cratchit: (enter from R. with hat.) *He turns up his coat collar, wraps the long white woolen
muffler around chin and pulls hat down over his face.*
Cratchit: (crosses to door L.) I'm going, sir.
Scrooge: All right.
Cratchit: *shields face with arm as though he were afraid Scrooge might throw something at
him*
Merry Christmas, sir!(Runs out L.)
Scrooge: Bah! Humbug! *He works at ledger. Finally drops his head on his arms and sleeps.
The light of his candle goes out*
~~~~~~~~
NAME text (stage action) *say this action*
ACT 2
The stage is now in darkness. A musical bell tolls off L. After a pause another bell tolls
off R. The clinking of chains is heard. When the stage is completely darkened the Ghost of
Marley slips in and sits at R. He is entirely covered with black, face and all, as he slips
in, so as to be quite invisible.
Mysterious music. Sudden clap of thunder heard. An auto light from the wings at R. is thrown
on the Ghost's face. This light should be green. The thunder dies away. Clanking of chains
heard.
Ghost: *groans*
Scrooge: (Siting,starts up, looks at Ghost, pauses) How now! What do you want with me?
Ghost: Much.
Scrooge: Who are you?
Ghost: Ask me who I was.
Scrooge: Well, who were you, then?
Ghost: In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley. It is required of every man that the spirit
within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and if that spirit goes not forth in
life, it is condemned to do so after death.
Scrooge: You are fettered. Tell me why.
Ghost: I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, yard by yard, the heavy
chain of avarice. Now I must make amends for the opportunities I neglected in life.
Scrooge: But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.
Ghost: Business? Mankind should have been my business. Kind actions, charity, mercy,
benevolence, love-all should have been my business. I am here tonight to warn you, to warn
you, Ebenezer Scrooge, that you have yet a chance of escaping my fate.
Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me.
Ghost: You will be haunted by Three Spirits.
Scrooge: If it's all the same to you, I think I'd rather not.
Ghost: Without their visits, you cannot hope to escape my fate. Expect the first when the
bell tolls one.
Scrooge: Couldn't I take it all at once and have it over, Jacob?
Ghost: Remember my warning, heed the message and you may yet be saved. My time is over.
*Chains rattle* Farewell, farewell, farewell! *Loud crash of thunder* (exit Back/teleport)
(After a few minutes of pause)
Scrooge: *The bell tolls one.*
(Enter Spirit of Christmas Past from R. She comes down R. Strong white light <that AB skill that does the beam of light> on her from R.)
Scrooge: *trembling* Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?
First Spirit: I am.
Scrooge: Who and what are you?
First Spirit: I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Scrooge: Long past?
First Spirit: No, your past.
Scrooge: Why have you come here to me?
First Spirit: For your own welfare. I must teach you the first lesson of consideration.
Scrooge: But I am considerate.
First Spirit: Are you a kind master to your clerk?
Scrooge: Well, I'm not unkind.
First Spirit: Do you remember your own first master? One Fezziwig by name?
Scrooge: Indeed, I do. Bless his dear, old heart. He was the kindest master that ever lived.
First Spirit: Then why haven't you followed his good example? Would any of your clerks say
that you were the kindest master that ever lived?
Scrooge: Well, times have changed, that's it-it's all the fault of the times.
First Spirit: It's all the fault of a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching,
covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel has ever struck out a
generous fire. No wind that blows is more bitter than he, no falling snow is more intent
upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. And his name is Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooge: All I ask is to edge my way along the crowded path of life. I want to be left
alone. That's all-left alone.
First Spirit: I have come to save you, Ebenezer Scrooge. I have come to kindle into life the
stone that once was your heart. First I will show you the kind heart and generosity of your
old time master. Behold the warehouse of Fezziwig and Company.
~~~~~~~~
NAME text (stage action) *say this action*
Act 3
(Rear curtains are drawn apart, revealing a workshop, with desk down R. facing front. Barrel
up L. Sign on rear wall reads, "Fezziwig and Company." Two young men, Ebenezer and Dick,
discovered happily working at desk. Fezziwig stands up L. looking off L. Waits are heard
singing off L. at rear.)
Carolers:*Christmas Singing*
Fezziwig: *flinging them a handful of coins* That's right, my lads. Sing away. Merry
Christmas to you.
Carolers: Thank ye, sir. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank ye, sir.(Exit stage left)
Scrooge: (down R. with First Spirit). Why, it's old Fezziwig. Bless his dear, old heart. It's
Fezziwig alive again.
Fezziwig: (comes merrily down C.) Yo ho, my boys! No more work for tonight. Christmas Eve,
Dick! *Throws his arms over the shoulders of the two boys* Christmas Eve, Ebenezer! God
bless Christmas.
Dick: Ay, ay, sir.
Y.Ebenezer: Ay, ay; God bless Christmas.
First Spirit: Did you hear that, Scrooge? That is yourself-and you said God bless Christmas.
Scrooge: That's true. That was thirty years ago.
Fezziwig: *bustling about* The missis and the girls are down stairs, so let's clear away
before you can say Jack Robinson.
(They push desk back, and decorate rear stage with strings of Christmas greens, Fezziwig talking all the time.)
Fezzwig: Yo ho! That's right, Dick. String the Christmas greens. Here you are, Ebenezer.
We're going to have the merriest time in all the kingdom.
*Dancing a step or two* I'll show ye how to enjoy life. That's it. Now we're all ready.
*Sings* "Wreathe the holly, twine the bay!" Let's have lots of room.
Clear away, Dick. Here comes the fiddler now.
(Enter Old Fiddler. He sits on barrel at rear and starts to "tune up.")
Old Fiddler: *tunes up fiddle* Merry Christmas, sir.
Fezziwig: The same to you, granfer, and many of 'em.
(Enter Mrs. Fezziwig from L.)
Mrs. Fezziwig: Lawsy, lawsy, I thought we'd be late. (Goes to the two boys and puts her arms
over their shoulders.) And how's my merry boys tonight?
Dick: Finer'n a fiddle.
Y.Ebenezer: Merry Christmas, Mrs. Fezziwig.
Mrs. Fezziwig: The same to you, dear lads.
Fezziwig: Where's the girls, mother?
Mrs. Fezziwig: Here they come, Flora, Felicity and little Fanny May.
(Enter the Three Fezziwig girls with their escorts. Everybody bustles around shaking hands,
wishing each other "Merry Christmas.")
Fezziwig: And here's the housemaid and her cousin the baker. (They enter and are greeted by
all.) The cook and the milkman, and the lonesome little boy from over the way! And
Ebenezer's young lady, Miss Bella. (They enter and are merrily greeted.) And now, mother,
what do you say to a rollicking game of Puss in the Corner.
(They play Puss in the Corner with much loud laughter, clapping hands, running about, etc.
The Fiddler plays.)
Mrs. Fezziwig: Oh, I never was so happy in all my life. This is the real spirit of Christmas.
Fezziwig: *hangs up a bit of mistletoe* And here's the mistletoe.
(They form a ring and play a ring game with much noise and confusion.)
Y.Ebenezer: (catching Mrs. Fezziwig under the mistletoe) I've got ye! *Kisses her*
Mrs. Fezziwig: God bless the boy!
Y.Ebenezer: And God bless the merry Christmas!
Fezziwig: And now a dance, my hearties. Yo ho! For the old time Christmas dance.
(They dance a few figures of Sir Roger de Coverly or the Virginia Reel. All are dancing
wildly, swinging, etc., with plenty of loud laughter, clapping of hands, etc., as the rear
curtains are drawn. Note: Use brilliant lights from R. and L. upon the rear stage.)
~~~~~~~~
Last years Play - The Snow Queen Play
~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHARACTERS
Suna - Ebenezer Scrooge - "Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire." A Middle-aged Merchant
Bob Cratchit - "With the Christmas spirit in his heart." Scrooge's Clerk
Fred - "A whole-souled, merry-hearted young married man." Scrooge's Nephew
Two Mission Lassies - (two females) First Second
The Ghost of Jacob Marley - "Dead these seven years." Scrooge's Partner
First Spirit - (Little Girl) The Ghost of Christmas Past
Second Spirit - The Ghost of Christmas Present
Third Spirit - The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be
A Chorus of Young Boys Carol Singers -(two males)
First Caroler - The Leader of the Singers
Mr. Fezziwig - A Jolly Old Merchant
Mrs. Fezziwig - One Vast Substantial Smile
Abacus - Ebenezer Scrooge as a Young Man
Dick - His Fellow Clerk
The Old Fiddler
Bella - Scrooge's First and Only Love
Wisp - Mrs. Cratchit - Bob's Wife
Bob Cratchit's Family:
Belinda - Aged Eighteen
Martha - Aged Seventeen
Peter - Aged Fourteen
Bob - Aged Eleven
Betty - Aged Nine
Bryn - Tiny Tim - Aged Four
Five Ladies, Five Gentlemen and a Little Boy for the Fezziwig Tableau
Costume descriptions to get as close as possible!
~~~~~~~~
NAME text (stage action) *say this action*
ACT ONE
Scene: The counting house of Scrooge and Marley. A dark, dreary office, indicated by brown
curtains at sides, with entrances R. and L. and brown curtains at rear. Note: These rear
curtains must be arranged to be parted, showing the tableau stage back of the real stage.
The tableau stage is elevated a few feet above the real stage (this makes a better picture
but is not absolutely necessary). High desk at R. facing the R. wall. Tall stool at this
desk; ledger, quill pen, ink, candle on this desk. Small, old desk down L., facing audience.
Desk chair back of this desk. Two common wooden chairs at R.C. and L.C. Ledger, quill pen,
books, candle stuck in an old dark bottle, on desk down L.
Before the curtain rises Waits are heard singing off L. Curtain rises disclosing Bob
Cratchit seated on stool, bent over ledger at desk R., working by the light of the candle.
Carolers: (Offstage) *Singing Christmas Songs*
Cratchit: (Sit middle of stage) *turns and listens* (Face carolers still sitting)
Scrooge: (from R. stage) *Slams door*
Cratchit:*hurriedly returns to his work.*
Scrooge: (crosses to stage L.) *flings door open angrily*
Scrooge: (flinging open door L. at this point). Get away from my door. Begone, ye beggars! I've nothing for you.
First Caroler: *sticking his head in through door* Only a shillin', sir, for a merry Christmas, yer honor.
Scrooge: Get away from there or I'll call the police.
First Caroler: Only a shillin', sir.
Scrooge: Not a penny. I have other places to put my money. Go on, now. You don't get a cent.
Not a penny!
First Caroler: All right, sir. Merry Christmas, just the same, sir. (moves away from stage)
Scrooge: (comes down to his desk at L) *Sits at desk muttering* Howling idiots! Give 'em a shilling, hey?
I'd like to give 'em six months in the work'us, that I would. Paupers! I'd show 'em what a merry Christmas is.
Cratchit: *gets down from stool and starts to slink out*(go L.)
Scrooge: Hey!
Cratchit: *pauses* (turns to Scrooge) Yes, sir.
Scrooge: Where you goin'?
Cratchit: I was just goin' to get a few coals, sir. Just to warm us up a bit, sir.
Scrooge: You let my coals alone. Get back to work. I'm not complaining about the cold, am I?
And I'm an older man than you are. Back to work!
Cratchit: *sighs* Yes, sir... *Resumes work*
Scrooge: You want to let my coals alone if you expect to keep your job. I'm not a
millionaire. Understand? *Loudly* Understand?
Cratchit: Yes, sir, I understand.
*Shivers, wraps long white woolen muffler closer about
throat and warms hands at candle.*
Scrooge: Here it is three o'clock, the middle of the afternoon, and two candles burning.
What more do you want? Want me to end up in the poorhouse?
Fred: (Offstage L.) Uncle! Uncle! Where are you? Merry Christmas, uncle.
(Enter onto stage)
(Fred enters from L. He is happy and bright and has a cheerful, loud laugh. He enters
laughing and comes down C.)
Fred: *Laughs cheerfully*
Scrooge: *looking up from his work* Oh, it's you, is it?
Fred: Of course it is, uncle. Merry Christmas! God save you!
Scrooge:*with disgust* Merry Christmas! Bah! Humbug!
Fred:Christmas a humbug, uncle? You don't mean that, I'm sure.
Scrooge: I don't, hey? Merry Christmas! What cause have you got to be merry? You're poor enough.
Fred:*laughing good-naturedly* Come, then, what right have you got to be dismal?
You're rich enough. So, merry Christmas, uncle.
Scrooge: Out upon your 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? You
keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine.
Fred: Keep it? 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: Christmas is a good time, uncle; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the
only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one
consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them in the social
scale. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket,
I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it, God bless Christmas!
Cratchit: *who had been listening eagerly, claps his hands* Good!
Scrooge: Let me hear another sound from you and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your
job. Get to work!
Cratchit: Yes, sir. *Resumes his work on the ledger*
Scrooge: (to Fred) You're quite a powerful speaker, sir. I wonder you don't go into Parliament.
Fred: Don't be angry, uncle. Come, dine with us tomorrow.
Scrooge: Dine with you? Me? I'll see you hanged first. Dine with you? I'll see you in-
Cratchit: *sneezes violently*
Scrooge: What's the matter with you? (Turns to Fred.) I'm a busy man. Good afternoon.
Fred: Come, uncle; say "Yes."
Scrooge: No.
Fred: But why? Why?
Scrooge: *savagely asks* Why did you get married?
Fred: Because I fell in love.
Scrooge:(sit) Bah! *Resumes his work* Good afternoon.
Fred: I want nothing from you. I ask nothing from you. But why can't we be friends?
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
Fred: Uncle I won't part in anger. My dear mother was your only sister-your only relation.
For her sake let us be friends.
Scrooge: *savagely says* Good afternoon.
Fred: I'll still keep the Christmas spirit, uncle. A merry Christmas to you.
Scrooge: *busy at ledger* Bah!
Fred: And a happy New Year.
Scrooge: Good afternoon!
Fred: (goes to Cratchit) And a merry Christmas to you, Bob Cratchit.
Cratchit: (Stands)*getting down from stool, shaking hands with Fred warmly*. Merry Christmas, sir.
God bless it!
Fred: Ay, God bless it! And a happy New Year.
Cratchit: And a happy New Year, too! God bless that, too!
Fred: Ay, Bob, God bless that, too. (Exit L. off stage)
Scrooge: Cratchit, get to work!
Cratchit: (sit) Yes, sir. *Resumes work*
Scrooge: (looks at Cratchit) Humph! Fifteen shillings a week and a wife and six children, and he
talks about a merry Christmas. Humph! *Works on ledger*
(Enter from L. Two Mission Lassies. They come down C.)
First Lass: Scrooge and Marley's, I believe? Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge
or Mr. Marley?
Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago this very
night.
First Lass: We have no doubt his liberality is represented by his surviving partner. *Shows
subscription paper*
Scrooge:Liberality? Humph! *Returns paper to her*
Second Lass: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, we are trying to make some
slight provision for the poor and destitute, who are suffering greatly. Hundreds of
thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.
Scrooge: Are there no prisons?
Second Lass: *sighs* Plenty of prisons, sir.
Scrooge: And the workhouses-are they still in operation?
First Lass: They are, sir; but they scarcely furnish Christmas cheer for mind and body.
We are trying to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.
Second Lass: We chose this time because it is a time when want is keenly felt and abundance
rejoices. What shall we put you down for?
Scrooge: Nothing.
First Lass: You wish to be anonymous?
Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, I don't believe in it.
And I can't afford to make idle people merry. They should go to the poorhouse.
Second Lass: Many of them would rather die, sir, than do that.
Scrooge: *savagely* If they would rather die, they'd better do it and decrease the
population. And besides, I am a very busy man.
First Lass: But, sir-
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
First Lass: I'm sorry, sir. Sorry-
Scrooge: Sorry for them?
First Lass: No, sir, I'm sorry for you, sir. Good afternoon. (Exits L. followed by Second Lass.)
Scrooge: Sorry for me, hey? *Pause. He works. The clock strikes five.* Sorry for me!
Cratchit: *closes his book, blows out candle* Is there anything more, sir? (Comes to C.)
Scrooge: You'll want all day off tomorrow, I suppose?
Cratchit: If it's quite convenient, sir.
Scrooge: Well, it isn't-and it's not fair. If I'd dock you a half a crown for it you'd think
I was ill using you, wouldn't you?
Cratchit: *nervously* I don't know, sir.
Scrooge: And yet you expect me to pay a full day's wages for no work.
Cratchit: It only comes once a year, sir. Only once a year.
Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But I
suppose you've got to have the whole day. But you be here all the earlier next morning.
Cratchit: Oh, yes, indeed, sir. (Goes out R.)
Scrooge: I'll stay here a bit and finish up the work.
Cratchit: (enter from R. with hat.) *He turns up his coat collar, wraps the long white woolen
muffler around chin and pulls hat down over his face.*
Cratchit: (crosses to door L.) I'm going, sir.
Scrooge: All right.
Cratchit: *shields face with arm as though he were afraid Scrooge might throw something at
him*
Merry Christmas, sir!(Runs out L.)
Scrooge: Bah! Humbug! *He works at ledger. Finally drops his head on his arms and sleeps.
The light of his candle goes out*
~~~~~~~~
NAME text (stage action) *say this action*
ACT 2
The stage is now in darkness. A musical bell tolls off L. After a pause another bell tolls
off R. The clinking of chains is heard. When the stage is completely darkened the Ghost of
Marley slips in and sits at R. He is entirely covered with black, face and all, as he slips
in, so as to be quite invisible.
Mysterious music. Sudden clap of thunder heard. An auto light from the wings at R. is thrown
on the Ghost's face. This light should be green. The thunder dies away. Clanking of chains
heard.
Ghost: *groans*
Scrooge: (Siting,starts up, looks at Ghost, pauses) How now! What do you want with me?
Ghost: Much.
Scrooge: Who are you?
Ghost: Ask me who I was.
Scrooge: Well, who were you, then?
Ghost: In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley. It is required of every man that the spirit
within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and if that spirit goes not forth in
life, it is condemned to do so after death.
Scrooge: You are fettered. Tell me why.
Ghost: I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, yard by yard, the heavy
chain of avarice. Now I must make amends for the opportunities I neglected in life.
Scrooge: But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.
Ghost: Business? Mankind should have been my business. Kind actions, charity, mercy,
benevolence, love-all should have been my business. I am here tonight to warn you, to warn
you, Ebenezer Scrooge, that you have yet a chance of escaping my fate.
Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me.
Ghost: You will be haunted by Three Spirits.
Scrooge: If it's all the same to you, I think I'd rather not.
Ghost: Without their visits, you cannot hope to escape my fate. Expect the first when the
bell tolls one.
Scrooge: Couldn't I take it all at once and have it over, Jacob?
Ghost: Remember my warning, heed the message and you may yet be saved. My time is over.
*Chains rattle* Farewell, farewell, farewell! *Loud crash of thunder* (exit Back/teleport)
(After a few minutes of pause)
Scrooge: *The bell tolls one.*
(Enter Spirit of Christmas Past from R. She comes down R. Strong white light <that AB skill that does the beam of light> on her from R.)
Scrooge: *trembling* Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?
First Spirit: I am.
Scrooge: Who and what are you?
First Spirit: I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Scrooge: Long past?
First Spirit: No, your past.
Scrooge: Why have you come here to me?
First Spirit: For your own welfare. I must teach you the first lesson of consideration.
Scrooge: But I am considerate.
First Spirit: Are you a kind master to your clerk?
Scrooge: Well, I'm not unkind.
First Spirit: Do you remember your own first master? One Fezziwig by name?
Scrooge: Indeed, I do. Bless his dear, old heart. He was the kindest master that ever lived.
First Spirit: Then why haven't you followed his good example? Would any of your clerks say
that you were the kindest master that ever lived?
Scrooge: Well, times have changed, that's it-it's all the fault of the times.
First Spirit: It's all the fault of a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching,
covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel has ever struck out a
generous fire. No wind that blows is more bitter than he, no falling snow is more intent
upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. And his name is Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooge: All I ask is to edge my way along the crowded path of life. I want to be left
alone. That's all-left alone.
First Spirit: I have come to save you, Ebenezer Scrooge. I have come to kindle into life the
stone that once was your heart. First I will show you the kind heart and generosity of your
old time master. Behold the warehouse of Fezziwig and Company.
~~~~~~~~
NAME text (stage action) *say this action*
Act 3
(Rear curtains are drawn apart, revealing a workshop, with desk down R. facing front. Barrel
up L. Sign on rear wall reads, "Fezziwig and Company." Two young men, Ebenezer and Dick,
discovered happily working at desk. Fezziwig stands up L. looking off L. Waits are heard
singing off L. at rear.)
Carolers:*Christmas Singing*
Fezziwig: *flinging them a handful of coins* That's right, my lads. Sing away. Merry
Christmas to you.
Carolers: Thank ye, sir. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank ye, sir.(Exit stage left)
Scrooge: (down R. with First Spirit). Why, it's old Fezziwig. Bless his dear, old heart. It's
Fezziwig alive again.
Fezziwig: (comes merrily down C.) Yo ho, my boys! No more work for tonight. Christmas Eve,
Dick! *Throws his arms over the shoulders of the two boys* Christmas Eve, Ebenezer! God
bless Christmas.
Dick: Ay, ay, sir.
Y.Ebenezer: Ay, ay; God bless Christmas.
First Spirit: Did you hear that, Scrooge? That is yourself-and you said God bless Christmas.
Scrooge: That's true. That was thirty years ago.
Fezziwig: *bustling about* The missis and the girls are down stairs, so let's clear away
before you can say Jack Robinson.
(They push desk back, and decorate rear stage with strings of Christmas greens, Fezziwig talking all the time.)
Fezzwig: Yo ho! That's right, Dick. String the Christmas greens. Here you are, Ebenezer.
We're going to have the merriest time in all the kingdom.
*Dancing a step or two* I'll show ye how to enjoy life. That's it. Now we're all ready.
*Sings* "Wreathe the holly, twine the bay!" Let's have lots of room.
Clear away, Dick. Here comes the fiddler now.
(Enter Old Fiddler. He sits on barrel at rear and starts to "tune up.")
Old Fiddler: *tunes up fiddle* Merry Christmas, sir.
Fezziwig: The same to you, granfer, and many of 'em.
(Enter Mrs. Fezziwig from L.)
Mrs. Fezziwig: Lawsy, lawsy, I thought we'd be late. (Goes to the two boys and puts her arms
over their shoulders.) And how's my merry boys tonight?
Dick: Finer'n a fiddle.
Y.Ebenezer: Merry Christmas, Mrs. Fezziwig.
Mrs. Fezziwig: The same to you, dear lads.
Fezziwig: Where's the girls, mother?
Mrs. Fezziwig: Here they come, Flora, Felicity and little Fanny May.
(Enter the Three Fezziwig girls with their escorts. Everybody bustles around shaking hands,
wishing each other "Merry Christmas.")
Fezziwig: And here's the housemaid and her cousin the baker. (They enter and are greeted by
all.) The cook and the milkman, and the lonesome little boy from over the way! And
Ebenezer's young lady, Miss Bella. (They enter and are merrily greeted.) And now, mother,
what do you say to a rollicking game of Puss in the Corner.
(They play Puss in the Corner with much loud laughter, clapping hands, running about, etc.
The Fiddler plays.)
Mrs. Fezziwig: Oh, I never was so happy in all my life. This is the real spirit of Christmas.
Fezziwig: *hangs up a bit of mistletoe* And here's the mistletoe.
(They form a ring and play a ring game with much noise and confusion.)
Y.Ebenezer: (catching Mrs. Fezziwig under the mistletoe) I've got ye! *Kisses her*
Mrs. Fezziwig: God bless the boy!
Y.Ebenezer: And God bless the merry Christmas!
Fezziwig: And now a dance, my hearties. Yo ho! For the old time Christmas dance.
(They dance a few figures of Sir Roger de Coverly or the Virginia Reel. All are dancing
wildly, swinging, etc., with plenty of loud laughter, clapping of hands, etc., as the rear
curtains are drawn. Note: Use brilliant lights from R. and L. upon the rear stage.)
~~~~~~~~