Description

One of our most popular Dinner Theatre scripts.

An adaptation of “Dickens Christmas Carol” set in a small Midwest American town in the 1800s. Could easily be used as multi-act drama or dinner theatre. Although using humor, the script has a very distinct Christmas message, ending in Scrooge, fighting and screaming all the way, finally accepting the Lord. Angels, rather than ghosts assist in bringing Scrooge to deal with God in his life. Some Christmas music suggested. Dream scenes are done through split stage or scrim set.

Kim Pottruff of “Audience Of One” Theatre in Guelph, Ontario says:
“Show is going great !! We have been playing to a number of sold out houses, which is exciting!! Many excellent comments on what a well written show it is, and many new patrons ….. you and the DramaShare site/team are truly a blessing !! To date, our best sellers have both been penned by you:)

Cast: 20 or more

Special Note: Narrator, who serves to tie the entire script together. In total there are 22 speaking roles, plus 5 non-speaking roles, as well as any number of extras for crowd scenes. However, with the individual sequences as they are, actors could easily perform two or more roles, meaning the drama could easily be brought down to 18 or less speaking actors. Note that Angel #1 and Frank Read roles are written to use the same actor. Rather than ghosts, angels are used as messengers.

Narrator, an outgoing likely middle age+ “dumb like a fox” type character

On Scrim Stage #1:

• Ebenezer Scrooge (will also perform from ScrimSet #2 in Sequence #1)
• Marley
• Angel #1 (is also Frank Read)
• Angel #2
• Angel #3

Scrim Set #2

• Fred (Ebenezer’s nephew
• Bob Cratchit
• Gentleman #1 (could be female)
• Gentleman #2 (could be female)
• Scrooge #1 approx. 8 years old
• Scrooge #2 approx. 10 yo)
• Scrooge #3 (18-20)
• Scrooge #4 (22 – 25)crowd scene in Sequence #4 – any number
• Sister in Sequence #5 (6-8)
• Schoolmaster in Sequence #5 (any age m or f)
• Andy Barnes Sequence 6 (mid-age or older)
• Richard Sequence 6 (late teen – early 20’s)
• crowd for Sequence 7 (late teen – early 20’s)
• Husband Sequence 8 (middle age)
• Mrs. Cratchit Sequence 10 (middle age)
• Martha Cratchit Sequence 10 (teen)
• Peter Cratchit Sequence 10 (6-12)
• Belinda Cratchit Sequence 10 (4-10)
• Tiny Tim Sequence 10 (4-10)
• Fred’s wife Sequence 11 (20’s)
• Ruth Sequence 13 (8-lqte teen)
• Frank Read Sequence 13 (can also be the Angel #1)

Bible Reference: 

Set:

• Stage is set up with two scrim areas plus the area to the extreme downstage downstage left side, (where Narrator performs).
• Scrim Set #1 is toward stage left, this is where Scrooge, Marley and the angels perform. When “watching” action in Scrim Set #, the actors in Scrim Set #1 will go the extreme downstage position in their acting area, to make it look as though they are watching what is going on.
• Scrim Set #2 is at right hand side of stage, and this iw where all other actors perform.
• NOTE: through use of lighting, it is possible to have the same effect without the use of scrim, however, scene changes are easier using scrim. Also, the use of scrim will give an impression of a “dreamlike” atmosphere, which is useful.
• Sets may be as simple or elaborate as desired, only a bed and 2 chairs in Scrim Set #1, and a table and chairs in Scrim Set #2 area are all required.
• There should be a storefront built or painted over Area #1, with the lettering:
  • First National Bank of Topeka
  • Scrooge & Marley Proprietors
• If possible, for the final Narrator Sequence this sign should be changed to:
  • First National Bank of Topeka
  • Cratchit & Sons Proprietors

Lighting:   If scrim set used, the lighting is very important. For suggestions on scrim lighting and construction contact DramaShare. A separate spot is needed for narrator.

  Sound: Lapel mics for narrator, Scrooge, Marly & others if  available however regular amplification is likely ok for minor roles. It might be easier to tape Tiny Tim’s lines rather than perform live, (depending on actual age of actor). By design, this script was written using early American dialect at the outset, followed up by more traditional language as the script progresses. This was done to ensure that language did not take away from the more meaty portion of the message.

Costumes: Angels in period costumes, not the usual angelic costuming. All others dressed in early American period costuming.

Props: as indicated

  Time: 120 minutes (with music)

Narrator: See, old Jake Marley was dead: stone cold dead. Ain’t no doubt about that, no siree . Josh Lymon, him, the clerk down to the courthouse, he had the death certificate filed away neat, and Doc Sanderson and Preacher Jones, and Frank Thompson, the undertaker and part-time barber, all their names was on that certificate. Even Scrooge, Marley’s partner in First National Bank of Topeka here all these years past, why he signed it as well. And Scrooge’s name on anything was known to be proof positive that what was said was true; see old Scrooge, he didn’t put his John Henry on nothin’ were it not a lead-pipe cinch. Stake your life on it, Old Marley, he’s a dead man.

Scrooge knows old Jake Marley was dead, ya say? Of course, he did, had to! How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and Marley were partners for, I don’t know how long, in the First National Bank of Topeka, back before I come to this territory. Marley, he died and Scrooge, he turned around and took care of all the details: old Doc Sanderson to come over that Christmas day morning to check, say, “yep, old Jake Marley, he’s dead all right!”, and sign the death certificate. And Scrooge, he personally saw to gettin’ the plot out to the Baptist cemetery, arrangin’ that Preacher Jones, circuit rider in these parts be available to say the few words at the cemetery, no church funeral bein’ needed in old Scrooge’s mind, waste of time, ‘sides likely if he’d used it the Baptists would expect some payment and some donation to their building fund. And, if that wasn’t proof positive of old Marley’s death, why Scrooge was Marley’s one and only administrator of his will, his one and only friend, and the only soul bothered to show up at the cemetery that cold December day. And truth be told, old Scrooge, soon as the Preacher said his last words, “ashes to ashes . .”, why old Scrooge was headed back, at the trot, to open up the bank, hopin’ that old Marley’s funeral hadn’t lost him any business in the meanwhile.  Which, First National Bank of Topeka bein’ the only bank for miles around, most probably had not.