A Christmas Carol
In 2002, I was commissioned by the Foothills Theatre in Worcester to adapt this Dickens classic. Since it had been adapted 6,729 times previously, I thought it would be a good idea to try a few new things, all the while maintaining Dickens' intent, style and untouchable (sort of) story. So, basically, what this adaptation provides theatre companies is an opportunity to stage the show with a little bit more humor than is usually the case, plus, it cheats on the Dickens storyline just a tad by bringing Scrooge and Belle together again at the very last moment of the play. When staged accompanied by a full cast singing a sweet Christmas Carol, the moment works splendidly.
In any case, here is yet another adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, for those interested in a touch of romance at the end. (And in a major comic spin on The Ghost of Christmas Past, in the form of the delightful "Matilda.")
Cast (doubling and tripling, of course, is recommended):
Carolers
Bob Cratchit
Neddy
Scrooge
Fred
Fink
Entwhistle
Youmg Woman
Marley
Gladys
Matilda
Ghost of Christmas Past
Boy Ebenezer
Father
Little Fan
Ebenezer at 15
Fezziwig
Dick
Young Scrooge
Belle
Ghost of Christmas Present
Mrs. Cratchit
Martha
Peter
Belinda
Tiny Tim
Miners
Lighthouse Workers
Sea Captain
Sailor
Dorothy
Topper
Gwendolyn
Jenny
Walter
Ignorance
Want
Ghost of Christmas Future
Businessmen
Laundress
Undertaker
Old Joe
Caroline
Kirk
Turkey Boy
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Setting:
London, mid 1860's, various locations. Also, London in Scrooge's past. And future.
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Press:
"The protean Jack Neary and his top notch crew and cast have removed any signs of 'Bah, Humbug!' and staged a delightful interpretation of Charles Dickens' classic. What Neary has done is to fully realize the emotional epiphany of the story, allowing his Scrooge to do a most gratifying metamophosis from a hateful and bitter loner to a man reborn. Redemption has always been at the heart of Dickens' tale, the chance to make amends for a life gona astray. When the story is as well-presented as this, the feeling here is one of joy and the belief in second chances." PAUL KOLAS, WORCESTER TELEGRAM &GAZETTE
Read COMPLETE REVIEW
Read PRE-PRODUCTION NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Read 2004 Review
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Available by contacting:
OR, you may visit the ScriptStore, where you can purchase a perusal copy of the script via PayPal.
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