A Christmas Carol - Neil Duffield - E-Book

A Christmas Carol E-Book

Neil Duffield

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Beschreibung

Charles Dickens’ timeless story is brought to life in this vibrant new version by the award-winning playwright Neil Duffield.
Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year! Well, it is for everyone except the miserable Scrooge. He prefers to spend Christmas all alone in his large house, instead of celebrating with mistletoe and merriment. Bah, humbug!
But one cold, dark Christmas Eve Scrooge is surprised by the ghost of Marley, his former business partner. Marley warns Scrooge that he will be called upon by three spirits – each will take him on a mysterious and magical journey to show him the error of his ways…
Can Scrooge discover the true wonder and meaning of Christmas before it’s too late?

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Seitenzahl: 79

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

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Neil Duffield

Neil has written more than fifty plays which have been produced extensively throughout Britain and abroad. His play The Lost Warrior, commissioned by The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, won the 2006 Arts Council of England Award ‘for work which displays excellence, inspiration and innovation in children’s theatre’.

Other recent productions include: The Ugly Duckling (Sheffield Crucible and Nottingham Playhouse 2007), Leopard (Sheffield Crucible 2007), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Dukes Theatre, Lancaster 2006), The Snow Queen (Watermill Theatre, Newbury 2006), The Firebird (Northumberland Theatre Company 2006), The Secret Garden (Helix Theatre, Dublin 2005), and The Emperor’s New Clothes (Midlands Arts Centre, 2005).

Neil is married to freelance theatre director Eileen Murphy and lives in Bolton.

The Octagon Theatre, Bolton

presents

A Christmas Carol

by

Charles Dickens

adapted by

Neil Duffield

AURORA METRO PRESS

First printed in 2007 by Aurora Metro Publications Ltd. Reprinted 2010.

[email protected]

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Adaptation © copyright 2007 Neil Duffield

Cover photo © copyright 2007 Joel Chester-Fildes

With thanks to John Blackmore, Sally Boyd and Aidan Jenkins

Permission for the use of any copyright music mentioned in the text must be agreed in advance with the Performing Rights Society, Live Music Centre: 020 7580 5544.

Caution: All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved.

Application for a licence to present performances including professional, amateur, recitation, lecturing, public reading, broadcasting, television and translation into foreign languages should be applied for, before rehearsals begin, to:

Neil Duffield c/o [email protected]

In accordance with Section 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the author asserts his moral rights to be identified as the author of the above Work.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Printed by CPI Antony Rowe

Ebook conversion by Swift ProSys

ISBNs:

978-0-9551566-8-7 (Print version)

978-1-906582-74-6 (Ebook version)

A Christmas Carol

by

Charles Dickens

adapted by

Neil Duffield

The play was commissioned by The Octagon Theatre, Bolton and received its world premiere performance on November 23rd, 2007.

Cast:

Rob Pickavance – Ebenezer Scrooge/Chorus 5

Simeon Truby – Jacob Marley/Robinson Crusoe/Mr Fezziwig/Ghost 2/Old Joe/Chorus 2

Tom Frere – Bob Cratchit/Ghost 1/Topper/Broker 1/Chorus 6

Dan Willis – Fred/Young Scrooge/Broker 2/Chorus 4

Sarah Groarke – Lady 1/Mrs Fezziwig/Mrs Cratchit/Beth/Charwoman/Chorus 3

Pam Jolley – Lady 2/Belle/Kathleen/Ghost 3/Chorus 1

Katie Ball – Tiny Tim

Jodie Pek – Tiny Tim

Emma Gray – Boy Scrooge/Boy

Rosie Steedman – Boy Scrooge/Boy

Roberta Gleaves – Little Fan/Martha/Urchin

Kathryn Noake – Little Fan/Martha/Urchin

Stephanie Jevons – Janet/Harry

Christie O’Connell – Janet/Harry

Jessica Ryan – Peter/Tom/Servant

Melissa Deacon – Peter/Tom/Servant

Conrad Nelson – Director (and Musical Director)

Dawn Allsopp – Designer

Jason Osterman – Lighting Designer

Andy Smith – Sound Designer

Beverley Edmunds – Choreographer

Characters:(can be performed by 4 male/2 female and several children)

Ebenezer Scrooge

Boy Scrooge

Young Scrooge

Jacob Marley

Ghost 1

Ghost 2

Ghost 3

Bob Cratchit

Mrs Cratchit

Peter

Janet

Martha

Tiny Tim

Belle

Mr Fezziwig

Mrs Fezziwig

Lady 1

Lady 2

Child 1

Child 2

Child 3

Urchin

Tom

Harry

Servant

Old Joe

Charwoman

Boy

Little Fan

Robinson Crusoe

Fred

Beth

Topper

Kathleen

Broker 1

Broker 2

Chorus 1

Chorus 2

Chorus 3

Chorus 4

Chorus 5

Chorus 6

SET: The set has two levels, upper and lower, linked by a huge chaotic heap of various items – safes, strong boxes, chains, locks, bolts, hinges, ledgers, files, cash-boxes, bundles of keys, furniture, plates, cutlery, bells, etc. And a piano. It’s as if the whole story and everything belonging to it has been tipped in a random pile.

It should be possible to use the pile as a staircase from the lower level to the upper. On the upper level stands Scrooge’s bed – a four poster with curtains. The lower level is used for all other locations. Somewhere there is a fireplace which provides the focus for various rooms.

CHORUS: The cast make up a cloaked chorus of carol singers and musicians who re-appear throughout the play. They should be able to slip quickly and easily between chorus and character. As chorus they have no individual identity, they are simply singers and storytellers.

PRE-SHOW: Ghostly music combined with various sound effects – clinking of metal, tinkling of bells and chimes, scraping, rattling and creaking.

Act One

Lights. Music. Chorus enter in lively and jolly mood, performing to the audience.

Chorus

Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green Here we come a-wandering so fair to be seen(Refrain is sung as a round) Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too (Love and joy come to you and to you your) And God bless you and send you (wassail too, and God send you) A happy New Year And God send you a happy New Year God bless the master of this house, the mistress also And all the little children that round the table go Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too (Love and joy come to you and to you your) And God bless you and send you (wassail too, and God send you) A happy New Year And God send you a happy New Year Good master and good mistress, while you’re sitting by the fire Pray think of us poor children who are wand’ring in the mire Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too (Love and joy come to you and to you your) And God bless you and send you (wassail too, and God send you) A happy New Year And God send you a happy New Year

Carol singing ends. Music underscores.

Chorus 1

Imagine a city.

Chorus 2

A city of giant factories and towering mills,

Chorus 4

of cobbled streets echoing to the sound of horses’ hooves.

Chorus 3

A city of rattling engines and thundering wheels.

Chorus 5

Imagine a time.

Chorus 6

A time before you were born,

Chorus 4

before your grandparents were born,

Chorus 1

a time of shoeless children and clattering clogs,

Chorus 2

of blackened houses and candle-lit rooms,

Chorus 5

of belching chimneys and pea-souper fogs.

Chorus 3

Imagine a counting house –

Chorus 4

an office,

Chorus 1

a place of business,

Chorus 6

a place of trade,

Chorus 5

dim and dreary,

Chorus 3

dusty and old,

Chorus 2

uninviting,

Chorus 4

gloomy and cold.

Under the dialogue the chorus lift props and furniture from the heap and set them up as Scrooge’s office.

Chorus 1

Desks.

Chorus 2

Ledgers.

Chorus 3

Cashbooks.

Chorus 4

Rules.

Chorus 5

Pens.

Chorus 6

Inkwells.

Chorus 2

Candles.

Chorus 1

Stools.

Chorus 3

And above the door…

Chorus 6

a faded sign.

A sign appears.

All

‘Scrooge and Marley’

Chorus 2

Partners in business.

Chorus 5

Partners in life.

Chorus 4(to the others)

Wait a minute… Isn’t Marley dead?

All

Long dead.

Chorus 1

Dead as a door nail.

Chorus 6

Dead as a door knocker.

Chorus 3

Dead as a door mat.

Chorus 5

No doubt about that.

Chorus 4

Does Scrooge know?

Chorus 2

Of course he knows.

Chorus 5

How could he not?

Chorus 6

He was chief mourner at the funeral.

Chorus 1

The only mourner.

Chorus 4

Then why hasn’t he had a new sign made?

Chorus 2

Ah…

Chorus 4

Or at least painted out Marley’s name?

Chorus 2

You’d be excused for thinking it’s a mark of respect.

Chorus 5

Incorrect.

Chorus 3

Simply a matter of money.

Chorus 6

Money is all that matters to Scrooge.

Chorus 2

A new sign would cost.

Chorus 3

And money spent

Chorus 5

is money lost.

Chorus members help Chorus 5 out of his cloak.

All

Money

Chorus 1

Squeezing

All

Money

Chorus 3

Wrenching

All

Money

Chorus 2

Clasping

All

Money

Chorus 6

Scraping

All

Money

Chorus 4

Clutching

All

Money

Chorus 2

Grasping

All

Scrooge.

Chorus 5 becomes Scrooge. Rest of chorus retreat away from him

Chorus 1

Tight-fisted old curmudgeon.

Chorus 3

Grisling

Chorus 1

grouching

Chorus 2

grumbling

Chorus 4

grousing

Chorus 6

picking

Chorus 3

pinching

Chorus 1

pilfering

Chorus 2

plundering

Chorus 6

scrimping

Chorus 4

scratching

Chorus 2

sulking

Chorus 6

skulking

All

sinful old sourpuss. Scrooge!

They greet him as passers-by in the street.

Chorus 2

Good morning to you, sir.

Scrooge

Bah.

Chorus 6

Fine weather we’re having, sir.

Scrooge

Bah.

Chorus 3

A merry Christmas to you, sir.

Scrooge

Bah!!

They become beggars as Scrooge passes.

Chorus 1

Spare a copper sir?

Scrooge

Not today!

Chorus 2

Any loose change, sir?

Scrooge

Hear what I say!

Chorus 4

Price of a cup of tea please sir?

Scrooge

Get out of my way!

A group of children chase each other across the stage, laughing and having fun. They accidentally bump into Scrooge.

Child 1

Excuse me, sir!

Scrooge

Clumsy…

Child 2

Very sorry sir!

Scrooge

tomfooling…

Child 3

Begging your pardon sir!

Scrooge

dirty little guttersnipes!

The children chase each other off. Under the following dialogue, chorus members help Chorus 6 out his cloak. He becomes Bob Cratchit sitting at a desk in Scrooge’s office. He rubs his hands and blows on his fingers.

Chorus 1

Cold never bothers Scrooge.

Chorus 3

No fire warms his office,

Chorus 4

no flicker in the grate.

Chorus 2

His clerk, Bob Cratchit, has to tot up figures

Chorus 3

in this freezing state.

Chorus 1

But what does Scrooge care?

Chorus 4

He pays no heed.

Chorus 3

He enjoys his meanness,

Chorus 2

revels in his greed.

Chorus 1

Gruff

Chorus 3

grunting

Chorus 4

growling

All

Scrooge.

Chorus 2

Surly

Chorus 1

snarling

Chorus 4

scowling

All

Scrooge!

Chorus 3

Bitter as the biting wind of winter.

Scrooge

Scrooge.

Cratchit finally tries to warm his hands around the candle on his desk. Scrooge enters the office. Cratchit quickly covers up.

Cratchit

Good morning, Mr Scrooge, sir… And a very Merry Christmas.

Scrooge

Bah!

Scrooge sits at his desk, opens a huge ledger and starts writing. Chorus members look on as they briefly reprise the carol.

Chorus

Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too (Love and joy come to you and to you your)